I worked for Boeing designing aircraft parts. I am not a pilot. I worked at the direction of my boss, who was a pilot. He was the gatekeeper of my work.
He'd also take me up flying, and would let me try the controls a bit. I trusted and valued his pilot's judgement.
Many other engineers at Boeing were also pilots. Friends of mine are pilots. My father was a combat pilot in two wars.
Airplane mechanics have very little decision making power. They go strictly by the book. I worked on writing instructions for the mechanics who would be maintaining and checking my gearbox design. It went into excruciating detail.
I would wager that the better mechanics were ones who were pilots, as they'd know in their bones how important their job was.
I have some patents, and I worked with patent lawyers to file them. The patent lawyers didn't understand diddly squat about my inventions. They knew how to fill out the required forms, though.
Depends on if you're referring to experience defrauding the American public, or protecting the American public. That can have different answers depending on what which side of the transaction you sit.
