Bio
My name is Zachariah Delgado, but I go by Zach. My passion for aviation started when I was a kid. I remember going to work with my dad at Altus Air Force Base, where he worked on C-141 aircraft. I would run tools to the maintainers and, if I was lucky, sort used hardware so it could be inspected. Those experiences taught me early on that keeping aircraft flying takes teamwork, dedication, and attention to detail. I also remember the maintainers taking time out of their long days to shoot basketball with me in the hangar, which left a lasting impression on me.
That passion led me to join the U.S. Air Force, where I served as an F-16 crew chief. Afterward, I continued my military service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, working on aircraft including the F/A-18, C-9, C-130, and C-40A. On the civilian side, I built my career in aircraft maintenance, manufacturing, and leadership. At StandardAero, I worked on T56-powered aircraft such as the C-130, P-3, E-2, and C-2, traveling around the world as a field service representative to troubleshoot aircraft and assist with accident investigations. I later joined Bell Textron, where I led a final assembly team on the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. Today, I support advanced aircraft programs that represent the future of aerospace, including the Bell 525 and the U.S. Army's MV-75.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, riding motorcycles, fishing, and trying my luck at the casino. I have always enjoyed learning about history, especially World War II, and whenever I travel, I like exploring the history of the places I visit. Although I do not have a favorite author, the last book I read was A Clash of Kings from the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management to prepare for future leadership opportunities at Bell. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to continuous learning, developing others, and helping ensure the safety and reliability of the aircraft that people depend on every day.
Recommended Citation
Delgado, Zachariah
(2026)
"Just Make it Through Tonight.,"
Night Flight: Online Literary Journal: Vol. 8
, Article 7.
Available at:
https://commons.erau.edu/night-flight/vol8/iss1/7