Maria Del Carmen Pinedo Abrego
Carmen Pinedo Abrego is an FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Technician currently serving with Embraer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a remarkable aviation career spanning four decades, she brings a rare combination of executive leadership experience and hands-on technical expertise to the industry. After beginning her career in airline operations at just 19 years old, she quickly advanced into management roles, building a strong foundation in commercial aviation, airport operations, and organizational leadership across multiple countries in the Americas.
Over the course of 16 years with Iberia, Pinedo Abrego served in senior leadership roles including Airport Manager in Caracas and Santiago, and Station Manager in Santiago, Chile. Her career required comprehensive cross-functional expertise, as she progressed through every major operational area of the airline before stepping into executive management. She also held consulting and business leadership roles internationally, demonstrating strength in structural change management, conflict resolution, and executive direction. Fluent in Spanish and English, she is recognized for her adaptability, resilience, and operational excellence.
In 2021, driven by her lifelong passion for aviation and a desire to embrace new challenges, Pinedo Abrego made a bold career transition into aircraft maintenance. She completed her technical training in Miami and earned her FAA A&P certification, choosing to trade the executive desk for hands-on technical work under the wing. Today at Embraer, she works in both mechanics and avionics, applying precision, discipline, and deep industry insight to ensure aircraft safety and performance. Her journey reflects courage, lifelong learning, and an unwavering commitment to the aviation field she has proudly served for nearly 40 years.
• A&P (Airframe and Power Plant) FAA License
• AME (Aircraft Maintenance Education) FAA license
• ATC Amadeus Ticket Changer
• Técnico Superior en Turismo y Hoteleria
What do you attribute your success to?
I believe that for anyone, it's discipline and consistency. First, you have to do something that you really like to do, something you want to learn, because when you love what you do, then you can apply discipline and consistency to it. And with that, you can achieve whatever you want to do. You have to take it step by step, one step at a time. Nothing comes without effort. You have to work for everything, and it's perseverance over time that helps you succeed and complete your projects.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's still a very male-dominated industry, so as a woman entering this field, you have to be willing to consistently learn and get education. Many women don't get the A&P certification because they are afraid. The license itself is quite complicated, but it's not more difficult or easier for a woman than for a man to obtain. You have to study the same things. Also know that as women, we are capable of anything a man can do professionally. When you enter to work, it's the same for both genders. The main restriction women face is that men are not accustomed to having women in this field. However, once they get used to it, it becomes normal. The only thing where women might need help, just like men sometimes do, is lifting very heavy weights. But don't let the male-dominated nature of the field stop you. You have the same capabilities.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being in a male-dominated industry is the biggest challenge. Men are not accustomed to having women working in this field, so there's an adjustment period where they have to get used to us and we have to adapt to them. It's a field traditionally dominated by men, so breaking into it as a woman requires persistence and proving that we have the same capabilities.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, honesty, resilience