The July/August issue of Wings, featuring the annual Top 20 Under 40 program, is our team's favourite publication of the year. We received the highest number of nominations in the history of the Top 20 program for this 2024 edition, forcing us to leave out several deserving candidates, who we hope to include in next year's listing. One reason for the spike in nominations could be in the rebound of aviation after three very difficult years, as the industry settles back in to its well-known passion and pursuit of the future.

The cover of the issue featuring Britton Coulson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Coulson Group, is a prime example of understanding the importance of aviation and aerospace in today's world, where opportunities and challenges seem to form at every intersection. The 20 young leaders featured in this issue provide a greater sense of industry security for Canada.

Along these same lines, this issue also holds coverage of our Careers in Aviation Expo held this year at Porter Airlines' new maintenance hangar at Ottawa International. Headlined by keynote speaker Billie Flynn, the event attracted more than 580 people, including over 400 on site to visit some 50 exhibitors and participate in more than 25 mentoring sessions – and likely at least a couple to check out Porter's new digs. A huge thank you to all of this year's mentors, who shared their passion for aviation, along with the opportunities and challenges of their respective jobs, to an eager group of aspiring aviators and AMEs. It is always striking to see just how tuned in these young adults are in their pursuit of aviation careers.

Be sure to check out our team's remaining aviation programs for 2024, including the second leg of the Careers in Aviation Expo, set for October 29 in Edmonton. This unique event combines the efforts of Wings with other brands of our parent company, Annex Business Media, including policing, firefighting and security. On September 7 in Burlington, Ont., we will host the inaugural Canadian General Aviation Expo, featuring recurrent training from Transport Canada. The fifth annual Canadian Wildfire Conference is set for October 17 in Kelowna.

Until then, enjoy the content packed July/August issue of Wings magazine.