A Lifetime in Motion: Ivan Mudrovcich on Nearly Two Decades with Salus Aviation’s Dynamic Components Team

In aviation, precision is everything — and few people embody that more than Ivan Mudrovcich, one of the longest-serving members of Salus Aviation’s Dynamic Components team. With nearly 40 years in the industry, including 19 of those spent at Salus Aviation, his journey is a testament to craftsmanship, consistency and quiet excellence.

A Career Built from the Ground Up

For Ivan, the fascination with aircraft began early. “I was always interested in aircraft and engineering in general,” he recalls. “My first thought was to join the RNZAF, but instead I applied for a Mechanical Engineer apprenticeship at Air New Zealand — and was accepted in 1986.”

Back then, apprenticeships were serious business — five years and 10,000 hours of hands-on learning. “It gave you a great foundation,” he says. After graduating as a tradesman, he spent much of his career in Air New Zealand’s Engine Shop, overhauling large turbofan engines.

When the engineering department was restructured in 2006, he took voluntary redundancy — but that decision soon led him to a new chapter. “I was fortunate to be offered a role in the Overhaul Shop at Airwork, which later became Salus Aviation. And I’ve been here ever since.”

Finding Joy in the Details

So what keeps someone in the same specialist role for nearly two decades? For him, the answer is simple: “I enjoy the work — it suits me. The components are interesting, there’s variation between products, and it’s incredibly satisfying to take something through the overhaul process and see the result. Often, the product looks and performs better than new.”

“I like the controlled workshop environment,” he continues. “It’s precise work — and that’s what makes it rewarding.”

Learning from the Best, Competing with the Best

One of his standout memories was a trip to ZF in Germany in 2014 for specialised training on the BK117 main transmission and swashplate.

“It was interesting to see how a large and respected organisation like ZF operated,” he says. “But I also realised we were doing things just as good — if not better.”

That same pride carries through today. “I joined Airwork just as the BK117 Main Transmission Overhaul was taking off, and I’ve contributed to its success ever since. I always tell visitors — we produce the best BK117 products in the world. I’ve seen the competition, and I know it’s true.”

Evolving with the Industry

Over nearly four decades in aviation, he’s witnessed major shifts — both in technology and culture. “When I started, there were libraries full of manuals and service bulletins. Now everything’s digital — instantly available and always up to date,” he explains.

“Aircraft technology has advanced massively too. We’ve gone from hydro-mechanical fuel control regulators to digital engine control and glass cockpits. And the awareness of health and safety, SMS, and human factors is so much stronger today. It’s made the industry better.”

Teamwork, Trust and Shared Standards

Despite the technical side of the job, it’s the people who make it special. “The camaraderie in this team is fantastic. We all get on, we help each other, we learn from each other. I was lucky to work with great people at Air New Zealand — and it’s the same here at Salus. It must be something in the personality of engineers,” he laughs. “We’re fun people to be around.”

The team’s specialised skillset also sets them apart globally. “There are only a handful of organisations in the world that do what we do. It’s great to be in that position — to stand out and do things better than others.”

Wisdom Worth Sharing

After a lifetime in engineering, his lessons are simple but profound.

His advice to young engineers joining the industry is timeless:

“Protect your reputation. Learn from your mistakes — that’s what they’re for. Your reputation as an engineer takes years to build, it can be destroyed in an instant. Always strive to be the engineer who does it right. Don’t dismiss the paperwork as a chore; be the one that does it better. Be methodical and be organised in all that you do.”

He finishes with a quote that sums up his philosophy, one he’s carried throughout his career:

At Salus Aviation, it’s people like Ivan Mudrovcich who remind us that true excellence isn’t just about what we build — it’s how we build it.