What inspired you to work in aviation?
I always wanted to be an aviator but started later than most. My first job was with a small cargo company that I worked at while attending my aircraft maintenance course. This allowed me to practice in real time what I had learned in class. After I had graduated from an aircraft maintenance course I was taken on by an airfreight company in Montreal, which put me at the heart of Canadian aviation. I was exposed to and worked on many different types of models from small turboprops to larger jets. It meant long days, and sometimes nights too, but I loved it. From these humble beginnings, I now hold nine aircraft type endorsements on my aircraft maintenace engineer license as well as Transport Canada and FAA airframer and powerplant licenses.
How has your career evolved?
After the cargo experience, I moved to air ambulances and then into the business jet realm that is now my preferred environment. I simply worked my way up through the ranks while also taking an interest in the aircraft management business. The genuine interest in the business made career progression smoother. I also found that I enjoyed working directly with customers and owners. Sometimes it can be tough when issues arise, but it can also be very rewarding to see a project through from start to finish, and even more satisfying to deliver it to a happy customer.
What do you enjoy about your work?
I have travelled globally in my customer-facing roles and still enjoy working in a business that is truly international in outlook. Flying Colours offers the sector a full range of nose-to-tail services that are completed to the highest standards. Working with a company that welcomes challenges and always finds a solution is really stimulating. This makes me proud to be part of the team. We’re engaged with the customer, will travel to them when they need us and will always think “outside the box” to find the solution.
Flying Colours
What does your working week typically look like?
Each day begins with a meeting with the maintenance crew to review where we are on each project. Higher level meetings discuss issues and solutions, timelines and budget. Much of the week is spent appraising project deadlines, any issues that may arise and ensuring we are maintaining the highest standards. Flying Colours invests heavily in training too, so I like to make sure the team remains current with what the sector needs in terms of skills.
What challenges face directors of maintenance in business aviation?
Aircraft technology is an ever-changing landscape. Crews always like to work with the latest technology in the cockpit for flight safety and flight operations. The principal wants the latest in connectivity, entertainment and comfort so keeping current is essential to stay competitive. We pride ourselves in delivering on time and on budget and that can occasionally be challenging to keep project capacity in check. Clients can change their minds midway through a programme and that can cause some issues, so managing customer expectations is important.
What plans do you have at Flying Colours?
We are an expanding business so recruitment of the correct people with the right skill set is something that requires planning, and then we have to train them. I plan to make sure that we maintain our high levels of service using the latest technologies to give us the best tools to fulfil our customer requirements. At the back of my mind I’m always thinking about this because we are known for our quality, and this pretty much drives all my plans for future maintenance development.
Source: Flight International
