Jotika Lal is the only female in the Engineering planning section working with six males at Fiji Airways.

The 34-year-old Aircraft Planning Engineer of Vunika, Labasa has been in this role for the past 10 years.

In June 2006, Mrs Lal was selected by the Fiji National University for the Trade Certificate in Aircraft Mechanical Engineering program, which she completed and graduated in 2010.

In February 2011, she joined Air Pacific (currently Fiji Airways) as a graduate trainee till June 2012.

In July 2012, she was a successful candidate for the position of aircraft planning engineer for the B737-700/800.

“As an aircraft planning engineer, my role is to ensure that all maintenance tasks and checks that need to be accomplished on the aircraft, which are tracked on an interval basis of aircraft flying hours, aircraft landings and calendar days, are planned and scheduled in a timely manner before its due date as per the specific given interval and are acquitted and reported back and processed
when completed,” she said.

“These are planned by taking into consideration certified manpower availability, aircraft ground times, aircraft spares availability and approved documentation is available prior to scheduling of the tasks.”

All these are done to ensure that the aircrafts are AIRWORTHY/ SAFE and ready to fly when required.”

She advised women who wanted to pursue their career in a male dominated field was always put God first, believe in yourself.

“I am a person who does not give up no matter how many times I fall.

“Therefore, if someone does not pay attention to what I have to say or discuss, I have always made a point of addressing it with that particular person and getting feedback as to why he is acting this way, and I’m glad to say that whatever feedback I get in return, I take it very positively.”

She acknowledged her two children, Lavinia & Ethan and her partner for their support.

Feedback: shreeya.verma@fijisun.com.fj