Down for Maintenance: Cynthia Rodina Shares Her Aviation Journey

Written By Beth White

Cynthia joined us at one of our Lunch & Learns to share her journey as an aviation maintenance expert and designated mechanic examiner. From her earliest days learning the ropes in the hangar to becoming a mentor and one of only three A& P examiners for the FAA, Cynthia has carved out a powerful path in an industry that hasn’t always made space for women.

With warmth, humor, and straight talk, Cynthia walked us through some of the pivotal moments in her career — including the pressures of being the only woman in the room, the responsibility of certifying new A&Ps, and the quiet joy of seeing a student’s eyes light up when something finally clicks.

She emphasized how important it is to show up prepared, stay curious, and never underestimate the impact of a good mentor. As someone who’s spent years both on the tools and in leadership, her words landed deeply with our team — especially our WOMEN BUILD PLANES apprentices, many of whom are dreaming of their own future in aviation maintenance.

Cynthia reminded us that technical skill is only part of the equation. It’s the mindset, the integrity, and the willingness to keep learning that truly set great aviation professionals apart. We’re grateful to Cynthia Rodina for taking the time to share her story, her insight, and her belief in the next generation. Her visit was more than a talk — it was a spark.

Beth White

Education Possibilitarian, Artist, Writer, Doula, Mentor, Aviatrix, Breast Cancer Survivor, Pilot-in-Command at Habitat for Aviation


In the spring of 2022, Beth White emerged from a 10-month battle with breast cancer with an idea: to create an apprenticeship program at Franklin County State Airport where youth work alongside adult mentors servicing conventional and electric aircraft. A pilot and airplane mechanic apprentice herself, and with family roots in the trades, Habitat for Aviation provides an taxilane for world learning opportunities for youth and adults who love to work with their hands to enter the FAA’s apprenticeship certification track. Each day she puts systems in place that make real John Dewey’s philosophy that we “learn best what we live” – a deep throughline from her time at Antioch University New England and as Regional Director for Big Picture Learning. Each learning experience is grounded in relationships, relevance, and practice. In October, 2023, Habitat for Aviation launched its Women Build Planes program, where an all-female team of Modern Day Rosies is building an airplane at Franklin County Airport, in northwestern Vermont, to show folks everywhere that despite the fact that only 2.6% of airplane mechanics are female, women BUILD, FLY, and FIX airplanes.

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