My name is Charles Bacon, but I go by Charlie. I’m a Field Service Engineer.
Tell us about your background. How did you become a Field Service Engineer?
I started as a helicopter engine mechanic in the Army and spent 12 years on active duty. After that, I worked in the corporate jet world for about eight years, then went back to helicopters as a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2005 to 2011. I always looked up to field service engineers from GE and Lycoming; those guys knew their stuff. I wanted to be that person whom others could count on, and that’s what led me to this path.
Did you go into the Army right after high school?
Yes. I joined right after graduation.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It changes constantly. I handle technical support for the T53 and T700 engines. That includes troubleshooting with customers worldwide, coordinating maintenance programs, writing quotes and running training sessions, from California to Kazakhstan. I also travel to job sites to perform field repairs. I’m on the road a lot, sometimes for weeks at a time, but I also do a lot of remote support from my home office.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
It is fulfilling to see what our engines go on to do, whether it’s firefighting, rescues or military missions, knowing we provide the power behind that. I also love training young techs and watching them grow. Helping them see the bigger picture, that this work really matters, is a huge motivator for me.
How do you stay current with advancements in the field?
I’m always in the manuals and following updates. I stay active on LinkedIn and surround myself with people who know more than I do. Today, we have instant access to updates, bulletins and email alerts when a manual changes. That wasn’t the case when I started almost 40 years ago.
What skills are most important for your role?
Communication is everything. Building relationships, being approachable and knowing how to explain technical things clearly, that’s key.
What sets Mint Turbines apart from other places you’ve worked?
It’s personal here. I’ve worked for big corporations where you’re just a number. At Mint, people check in on you. The owner of Mint International has called me personally to see how I’m doing. That means something.
What are the top places your job has taken you?
Austria is beautiful, definitely my favorite. Bogota, Colombia, surprised me with how kind the people are. And Kazakhstan was incredible. The hospitality there blew me away.
What tools are essential to your fieldwork?
Honestly? It’s the people. I can’t do what I do without the folks in the shop, the logistics team and the support back home. That’s my most valuable resource. And my wife, she’s amazing. We’ve been married 28 years, and she’s stuck with me through all the travel.
Tell us about your role in the T700 Test Cell project.
Mint worked with Test Logic to build the world’s most advanced T700 test cell. We’re collecting 132 data points, temps, speeds, pressures and vibrations so that we can deliver engines with complete confidence. When a customer installs one of our engines, they know it’s going to perform. That level of data and assurance just isn’t possible in the field.
What do you like to do outside of work?
We race dirt track cars, sprint cars and midget racing. My cousins own the cars, and I help work on them. Mint Turbines even sponsors one. We’ve got a big race coming up in Tulsa soon. It’s a lot of fun.
How does your family handle the travel? What advice would you give others?
It takes a strong family life. When my kids were young, it was tough. Now they’re grown, and my wife sometimes travels with me. My advice? Be open and honest, and spend as much time with your family as you can when you’re home. And understand, this isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle. It takes years to gain the experience and confidence to do it well.
Final thoughts?
This job isn’t glamorous. There are long hours, last-minute flights and a lot of bologna sandwiches in hangars. But I wouldn’t trade it. To do what I love, in my home state, for a company that respects and supports me, I consider that a blessing.