Between Craftsmanship, Technology and Aviation: Isabell Mayr on Her Work as a Technician at Hoffmann Propeller
From a carpentry apprenticeship to propeller development: Isabell has been working at Hoffmann Propeller for around a year and a half. In this interview, she talks about her day-to-day work between the workshop and the engineering office, the variety of projects she works on, and the combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technologies.
Isabell, how did you end up at Hoffmann Propeller?
I originally completed an apprenticeship as a carpenter and then went on to earn both my Master Craftsman qualification and my Technician qualification in Rosenheim. At the same time, I became increasingly interested in aircraft.
When I came across Hoffmann propellers at the Wood Technology Museum and later discovered that the company was looking for both carpenters and engineers, I thought: I’m actually right in between. So I simply submitted an unsolicited application - and it worked. I've now been with Hoffmann for about a year and a half.
What do you work on at Hoffmann today?
I work as a technician, and my day-to-day work is very diverse. I spend most of my time in the development department, where I contribute to propeller design, create CAM programs, and work on projects related to the manufacturing and machining of wooden propellers from the planning stage through the prototype.
What makes the job special is that I am involved throughout the entire process chain. I don’t just work on the computer — I also manufacture prototypes myself on the CNC machine and regularly collaborate with the production team. Whenever ideas for improvements come from the workshop or there are opportunities to optimize processes, I’m often directly involved.
I also work with our 3D scanner and, amongst other things, support reverse engineering projects for propellers. These projects involve the use of scans and digital models to reconstruct the original geometry of historical propellers for which little or no documentation still exists.
What other projects are you particularly enjoying at the moment?
Besides the historical aircraft projects, I’m also working on a hovercraft propeller project, which I find very interesting. What impresses me most is the size: a single propeller blade is almost as tall as I am. I had never worked on components of that scale before.
You work both in the workshop and in the development department. How do you experience this combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology?
I enjoy working right at the intersection of those two worlds.
Many manufacturing steps at Hoffmann used to be carried out entirely by hand. That required tremendous craftsmanship, and that expertise is still extremely important today. At the same time, we now use digital methods, modern manufacturing technologies and automation solutions to support specific processes.
What I find fascinating is bringing both sides together: understanding how something traditionally works and then considering how digitalization or automation can support it in a meaningful way.
What motivates you personally about your job?
Above all, the fact that I learn something new every day.
In the development department, I work with graduate engineers and colleagues who hold doctoral degrees. In the workshop, I work alongside people with decades of practical experience — many of them have been working longer than I’ve been alive. I learn an incredible amount from both groups.
At the same time, as someone who recently completed technical school, I can also contribute new ideas and perspectives. It complements each other very well, and I gain a lot personally from working here.
And of course, aviation itself is a fascinating field for me. I’ve flown in small propeller aircraft, gone skydiving, and last year I started training for my paragliding licence.
How do you see your future at Hoffmann?
I’m particularly interested in automation.
Already during technical school, I was involved in robotics and built a small robotic arm as my final project. Using an electromagnet, it was able to move chess pieces around a board.
Today, Hoffmann is working on new digitalization and automation solutions and investing a lot in modern technologies. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to that area.
In general, I really enjoy the combination of craftsmanship and development, theory and practice. It’s exactly this combination that I would like to develop further in the future.
What skills should someone have if they want to follow a similar path?
A good technical understanding is important. At the same time, you should also understand how things are actually made in practice.
That’s why I consider hands-on experience a major advantage — whether with wood or metal, through an apprenticeship or, if you are studying, through internships or practical placements. Anyone designing components benefits enormously from understanding how those parts will later be manufactured. Basic CAD and CAM skills, as well as experience with CNC machines, are also very helpful.
You also need curiosity, spatial imagination, perseverance and strong problem-solving skills. Particularly when working with historical propellers, there often isn’t a ready-made solution because only a limited amount of historical documentation may still exist. In those situations, you need to be persistent and disciplined to work your way forward step by step.
And you have to understand that aviation demands precision. You notice every day how important quality and accuracy are at every stage of the process.
What advice would you give to people starting their careers?
Be open to learning from your colleagues.
At Hoffmann, many people have decades of professional experience, and there is an incredible amount you can learn from them.
At the same time, you should not be afraid to contribute your own ideas. Of course, you first need to prove yourself - but you should also be confident enough to speak up when you believe your perspective can help.
What makes Hoffmann special to you?
First of all, the variety. There is such a wide range of workshops, skills, topics and projects that it never becomes boring.
Then there is the company’s history. I even read the biography of Hoffmann’s original founder. It is fascinating to see how the company has evolved over the decades while also being part of its next chapter.
And finally, the people. I work with colleagues who are genuinely interested in what they do. You can ask anyone for advice or support, and people are always willing to help.