AT COMMUTEAIR, WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE WITH GREAT STORIES TO SHARE.
From Blueprints to Boarding Doors – The Mind Behind the Maintenance
When most people think about careers in aviation, their minds go straight to the skies—pilots, flight attendants, or perhaps aircraft mechanics. But tucked behind the scenes are the brains that help keep the aircraft systems running smoothly, the unsung engineers of the air. Tyler Kleiman, Aircraft Systems Specialist at CommuteAir, is not just making planes fly safely and efficiently, but also helping them look good doing it.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio and raised in Granger, Indiana, Kleiman has had aviation in his sights since childhood.
“Flying to and from family vacations was always the highlight of the trip for me,” he says.
And with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and an Airframe and Powerplant Certification, he’s built a solid foundation for a high-flying career.
Kleiman joined CommuteAir in 2020 after working as an aircraft mechanic for Constant Aviation in Cleveland. Now, as part of the Engineering Services team in the CommuteAir Maintenance Department, his day-to-day doesn’t involve a wrench—but it does involve keeping the fleet in top shape.
“I provide engineering support to our mechanics, write technical documents for aircraft modifications, and act as a liaison between CommuteAir and vendors like Embraer,” Kleiman explains.
He specializes in ATA 25 (cabin interior) but also handles special projects, many of which have left a significant mark on the fleet.
One of his proudest accomplishments? The ERJ145 cabin interior refresh project, a complete makeover of the aircraft interiors.
“The entire aircraft cabin was removed and repainted/recovered to bring a more modern aesthetic to our ageing interiors,” he says.
The results didn’t just look good, they aligned CommuteAir more closely with United Airlines’ style and brand.
Kleiman’s passion for engineering goes beyond checklists and manuals—he’s an innovator. One of his professional goals is to revamp how engineering technical documents are created and approved.
Outside the hangar, Kleiman’s creative side shines through his photography, a hobby that began with a basic point-and-shoot camera and grew into a full-blown passion.
“I enjoy shooting street, aviation, astro, and wildlife photography,” he says. “Wildlife is my favorite—it’s just so much fun capturing animals in their natural element.”
And if that wasn’t enough, Kleiman is also a competitive archer, a certified instructor, and soon-to-be course leader at the Broadview Heights Rec Center.
“I’ve been shooting since college and regularly compete in state and national competitions,” he adds.
What keeps him motivated? It’s simple: “I just always strive to put my best effort into whatever I am working on.”
Kleiman is also quick to point out that the aviation industry is much more than just the people you see on the plane.
“There are so many important teams that keep things running—from Reliability and Maintenance Planning to Records and Technical Publications,” he explains. “These positions aren’t in the spotlight, but they’re absolutely essential.”
For those looking to get into a role like his, Kleiman offers some wise advice: “Keep your mind open and learn everything you can. Don’t just focus on the how, but the why too. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and never hide your mistakes, fix them, and learn from them.”