Sports Ambassadors of Magnetic: Meet Aleksandr Shorikov

Our Magnetic Group colleagues continue to surprise us with not only being exemplary in their work ethic, but also balancing work at Magnetic with exceptional athletic hobbies. It’s a pleasure to introduce Aleksandr Shorikov — Magnetic MRO Engine Team Zone Leader and Estonian Champion in sports climbing.

How did your passion for aviation start?

My career in aviation launched in 2009 when I moved to the UK and got a ground-handling job. Three years later I heard about job openings at Magnetic MRO in Tallinn (then Air Maintenance Estonia) and took my chances without any education in aviation. That was back in 2012 and since then I have had a passion to further learn about aviation and grow in my career.

Tell the readers about your role in Magnetic. 

I work as an Engine Team Zone Leader in Magnetic MRO Tallinn airport hangars, with a friendly and experienced team of seven people. Working on the aircraft, we are a part of an around 50-person crew, who are performing the aircraft maintenance check simultaneously.

I carry two different roles in my work. Firstly, as a licensed technician, I’m responsible for accomplishing different inspections, tests, and defects rectifications on aircraft. As an Engine Team Zone Leader, I have to acknowledge the upcoming scope of work for our project, distribute tasks among my team members, assist them, and communicate with other zone leaders/check runners to guarantee high-quality outcome for our company and our clients. 

Next to your job at Magnetic, you are also an athlete! Tell us about your sports passion.

 I practice Sports Climbing. Thanks to my sister who introduced me to this sport, it’s been in my life for 18+ years already. Now it is an Olympic sport and becoming more popular around the world. Even in Magnetic, I have several colleagues who also have been practicing climbing for a while. The main discipline I train for is bouldering - it’s a climbing discipline on walls up to 5 meters high, where you do not use any ropes or harnesses. The moves are more powerful and dynamic, with soft mats to protect you when falling.

The climbing community is unique, which makes the sport special to me. The sport also has endless challenges whether it is indoor or outdoor climbing and of course, it keeps me in good physical and mental shape. 

I think my biggest achievement in this sport is not some specific win in a competition, it’s more in my performance stability of getting into the semifinals or finals whenever I take part in any competition. And for sure my biggest achievement in outdoor climbing is yet to come. 

How do your both careers (aviation and climbing) complement each other?

Both climbing and aviation are all about solving challenges. Thanks to Magnetic, balancing work and athletic life is much easier with company support and the possibility of a flexible work schedule. Without this, I would not be able to train and compete as much as I do.

What advice would you give to others who may be pursuing dual careers or passions like yours?

Making yourself choose only one passion over the other is an excuse. It’s always possible to have a full-time job and at the same time train and compete in a sport, but it’s not easy. Find your ways to balance both.