In the annual Top 20 Under 40 program, Wings recognizes inspiring young leaders influencing the direction of Canadian aviation and aerospace. Presented here alphabetically, these leaders, who are all under the age of 40 as of the end of the current calendar year, were initially put forward through an online nomination process lasting for several months. Wings then determined this year’s Top 20 honourees based on their leadership, innovation, influence, achievement and dedication to their organizations and the Canadian aviation industry.

Charles Blouin
President and Co-founder, Tyto Robotics, Gatineau, Que. 

Charles Blouin, 33, developed his interest in aerospace through remote-controlled airplanes, radio-controlled helicopters and power kites, drawn to the challenges of making something fly. He co-founded Tyto Robotics in 2014 at the age of 23 focusing on the development of test equipment for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors, which eventually turned toward technologies for drone – or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – manufacturers and, more recently, developers of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In just over 10 years of operation, his team has sold equipment to organizations like Airbus, Volocopter and NASA.

Tyto in 2024 expanded its line of test benches to include combustion engine testing, enabling manufacturers to achieve greater performance for fixed-wing drones and other gas-powered aircraft. In 2025, Tyto released a propeller balancer specific to drone motors and propellers, a first of its kind. The next phase of Tyto’s evolution is focused on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as the aviation industry moves toward commercializing eVTOLs. In January, Blouin travelled to California with Canadian stakeholders like Transport Canada, NAV Canada and Air Canada to explore opportunities with key AAM players such as Joby, Archer, Wisk and the NASA Ames Research Center.

Today, more than 90 per cent of Tyto Robotics’ equipment is sold to companies abroad and its technology is present in R&D labs in more than 50 countries. Blouin in 2025 was a participant in Gatineau’s G10 Entrepreneur Program. Tyto was also selected as a finalist for the province-wide MercadOr prize and named winner of the Outaouais Excelor prize, both recognizing excellence in exports.

Why is your company unique?

We’re at the leading edge of technology and it’s moving at the speed of light right now. Our in-house developers are young and at the top of their game – they have an in-depth understanding of the tech and the ability to build software quickly and efficiently. Our differentiator is that we have in-house pilots on the support team and we’ve managed to keep that critical person-to-person connection with clients.

Brad Byrne
Vice President, Commercial Services, Perimeter Aviation, Winnipeg, Man.

Brad Byrne, 33, has been fascinated with airplanes from a young age, particularly the engineering and design of aircraft and their capabilities. He began his career at Perimeter Aviation 13 years ago as a ramp agent and moved through roles in dispatch, cargo, medevac and operations, adding his interest in business and finance to one of Canada’s most vertically integrated aviation operations.

Byrne has led several major improvements for passengers, customers and team members alike. This includes the implementation of milestone tracking across the network, which helped to significantly improve on-time performance, allowing Perimeter to achieve back-to-back days with zero delays. Byrne also overhauled Perimeter’s dangerous goods program resulting in recognition from regulatory bodies; introduced multi-commodity cargo tracking to reduce costs for remote customers; and launched a 24-hour priority cargo option – something no other northern carrier offers. With the help of his team, Byrne also supported the rollout of aircraft load planning software to maximize payloads safely. In ground handling, he expanded Perimeter’s service capabilities to generate new revenue.

Byrne supported the launch of a Cultural Sensitivity program that helps employees better understand the communities that Perimeter Aviation serves in remote and northern regions. Byrne is currently pursuing an MBA and is enrolled in the ICS Canada Aircraft Mechanics program to better understand all sides of the business.

Why is your company unique?

From northern remote communities that are fly-in only for the majority of the year to the paved runways in the southern network where we operate, everything we do matters. Whether it is charters, freight, air ambulance or scheduled flights, there is a meaning behind it all as we are a lifeline for our customers.

Anthony Cerone
Senior Manager, Quality Assurance and SMS Programs, Air Canada, Montréal, Que.

Anthony Cerone, 28, has been captivated by aviation from a young age, following in the footsteps of his father, who dedicated more than 35 years to the industry. That passion led Cerone to pursue a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He began his aviation career in 2017 as an intern with Air Canada’s Maintenance, Regulatory Compliance, Safety and Training department.

What started as an internship quickly evolved into an eight-year journey with  Canada’s flag carrier. Cerone has held various roles within the maintenance side of the business, specializing in safety assurance, risk management, regulatory compliance and airworthiness. He regularly conducts quality audits, safety risk assessments, and root cause analysis investigations as a certified auditor and investigator. 

Cerone currently plays a key role in shaping the operational safety strategy for aircraft maintenance for Air Canada. He is focused on driving initiatives that enhance oversight and leveraging analytics to support the continuous evolution of the maintenance safety culture. Cerone recently led the development of a Maintenance Line Operations Safety Audit program, using a predictive hazard identification model to analyze technical and human factors that contribute to maintenance errors. He has been invited to present this initiative at industry forums and universities, including the FAA Aviation Safety InfoShare Conference, the Ontario Aircraft Maintenance Conference, and at McGill University.

Cerone recently completed a Master of Business Administration at Concordia University to complement his technical expertise with business acumen.

What drew you into aviation?

My father worked at Air Canada for over 30 years, so I grew up surrounded by the airline and I used to memorize the different aircraft types. Some of my earliest childhood memories are while travelling aboard on aircraft. I remember being able to visit the flight deck and having the pilots sign my little red Air Canada Skyriders logbook. That early exposure sparked a passion that only grew stronger over time.

Blair Clayton
Dash 8 Training Captain and Approved Check Pilot, Perimeter Aviation, Winnipeg, Man.

Blair Clayton, 38, remembers aviation always being a part of his life with his father and several family members working in the industry. He grew up going to Winnipeg’s airshow, travelled on one of Air Canada’s last 747 flights, and even went to see the Concorde on its final visit to Toronto. Today, Clayton will head out with his three daughters to watch aircraft at YWG. He earned his glider pilot licence at age 16 through the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Clayton has been with Perimeter for 18 years, joining the operation as a ramp agent and progressing through the flight line to his current role of helping pilots understand procedure and to apply sound judgement under pressure. He plays an active role in quarterly Dash 8 training meetings, contributing insight into operational trends and helping to improve how training is delivered. Clayton’s flight experience provides him with a sharp eye for identifying patterns like recurring procedural errors or areas of uncertainty; and he works with the team to refine how those issues are addressed. 

Clayton has been involved with the Atik Mason Indigenous Pilot Pathway Program since its inception, mentoring the program’s first candidate – now its namesake – to his successful completion of the Pilot Proficiency Check. From that initial training evolved the current fully funded program, providing Indigenous individuals with the opportunity to pursue careers as professional pilots.

Why is your company unique?

Our passengers often are not flying for leisure; they depend on us for access to medical care, essential goods and services that support their well-being. That responsibility gives real meaning to our work. What also sets us apart is the nature of the flying itself. On any given day, we are landing Dash 8s on runways just 75 feet wide and 3,400 feet long, often surrounded by water. It’s high-skill, high-focus flying and never boring.

Robert Coghlan
Program Director, Global and Learjet Fleet, Bombardier, Toronto, Ont.

Rob Coghlan, 38, grew up loving everything mechanical and a childhood tour of CFB Borden with his grandfather sparked a fascination with flight. At age 12, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets where he earned his glider and private pilot licences. After high school, Coghlan took up skydiving, trained for a career in Air Traffic Control and finished a degree in aerospace engineering. He holds both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Aerospace Design Management from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Coghlan began his professional career at Bombardier 15 years ago, starting at the company’s Toronto location and completing assignments in Montréal and Texas. His career evolved to include leading engineering teams on the Global 7500 and then the Global 5500/6500 platforms, eventually becoming a manager for the Program Management Office. Today, as Director of Programs for the Global and Learjet Fleets, he oversees program performance, supplier collaboration and cross-functional delivery across these platforms. He chairs the Product Change Board and is as a member of the Continuing Airworthiness Review Board and Customer Advisory Boards. 

Coghlan is committed to developing the next generation of Canadian aviation and aerospace leaders by mentoring newer staff at Bombardier and by serving as an RCAF Reserve Officer supporting the Cadet Flying Program out of CFB Borden. 

What is a favourite aviation memory?

In 2016, I was assigned to support the first flight readiness of the first Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicle. This was a critical milestone for the program, allowing for an experimental flight permit to be issued by Transport Canada. Witnessing this aircraft take-off from Downsview with my colleagues was an amazing experience as we literally watched our hard work lift-off and return after a successful flight. This same feeling would return in 2018 when the aircraft achieved certification.

Katie Cowley
First Officer, Canadian Helicopters, Golden, B.C.

Katie Cowley, 32, joined Canadian Helicopters less than a year ago, achieving a lifelong dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. Her path was far from conventional: After leaving an unstable home environment at age 14, she supported herself, often with multiple minimum wage jobs, while completing her high school diploma through correspondence. These early experiences instilled in her a strong work ethic and deep perseverance.

Lacking the financial resources to begin rotary-wing training directly, Cowley started in fixed-wing aviation, a more accessible entry point that laid the foundation for her career. She gained invaluable training from a range of organizations like Glacier Air, Chinook Helicopters, Victoria Flying Club, and 49 North; and scholarships through Figure 1 Foundation, BCGA, Harbour Air and the Whirly Girls. Her professional pilot career began in 2019 with Sea to Sky Air, followed by float plane work with Bamaji Air and she then served as a First Officer for scheduled regional operator Pacific Coast Airlines, before becoming a Captain with Xcalibur Multiphysics on international aerial survey missions. Since 2019, Cowley has accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours.

In 2024, Cowley took her first steps into the rotary-wing industry, joining Canadian Helicopters as a First Officer on the B212. This summer Canadian Helicopters trained her on the Sikorsky S-61 for aerial firefighting operations, providing Cowley with a unique opportunity within a challenging flight environment. Cowley is currently pursuing dual ATPL licenses.

What excites you most about aviation?

This summer marks my first season working in wildfire operations. Canadian Helicopters is a pioneer in NVIS firefighting operations and I’m excited to see these advancements taking place in areas of aviation that need this kind of innovation. Being directly involved in protecting lives, homes and ecosystems is both inspiring and deeply motivating.

Mathew Fernandez
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Flight Club, St. Thomas, Ont.

Mathew Fernandez, 33, has been fascinated with aviation from an early age. He was hooked after his father took him for a flight in a Cessna 172. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets at the age of 12 and earned his glider pilot licence, power pilot licence and glider instructor rating. He continues to serve as Glider Instructor and Tow Pilot with the Air Cadet Gliding Program.

Just over four years ago, Fernandez linked his passion for aviation with his entrepreneurial drive by cofounding Flight Club, which provides a marketplace for the sharing of underutilized aircraft with scheduling, payment processing, pilot checkout processes, and insurance solutions all designed specifically for this use.

Beginning with one airplane and five pilots, Flight Club has generated close to $1.5 million in economic value for aircraft owners. Flight Club also now hosts more than 185 active aircraft listings and more than 5,500 platform users, enabling more than 32,200 hours flown. The company recently expanded it services into the United States. 

Why is your company unique?

Flight Club has created a first-of-its-kind aircraft sharing marketplace that connects pilots with owners of underutilized aircraft. As a result, pilots get to fly more often and take longer trips than might be possible with other options in the market. Similarly, aircraft owners are able to offset much of their fixed expenses and their aircraft operate more hours. 

Ashlynn Gillis
Vice President, Commercial Operations, PAL Airlines, St. John’s, Nfld.

Ashlynn Gillis, 38, connected with the aviation industry more than 15 years ago as a chartered accountant working with the PAL Group of Companies as a client. During the sale of PAL in 2014, Gillis was contracted full-time with the PAL leadership team and then officially joined the company after the sale to lead several acquisitions on PAL’s path of vertical integration. She was the lead on acquiring MFC Training and helped to form Air Borealis, an Indigenous-owned airline for which she remains a proud board member. In her current role, for the last six years, Gillis helps to oversee day-to-day activities for PAL Airlines, as well as strategic investments and partnerships. 

Gillis is responsible for key areas of the business, including: Above- and below-the-wing operations in Atlantic Canada, customer service, reservations, network planning and sales. She is the executive responsible for PAL’s Air Canada Express Operations out of Halifax. Gillis holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is an alumni of the Harvard Business School Executive Education program for Leadership.

What is a favourite aviation memory?

The pushback of our first PAL-operated AC Express flight on July 1, 2023. Both teams came together to launch this program in very short order and seeing how excited everyone was for the first day was fantastic. All of my favourite memories are when the team pulls together to make the impossible possible. 

Mahnoor Khokhar
Manager, Stores and Inventory Control, Porter Airlines, Toronto, Ont.

Mahnoor Khokhar, 28, began her journey in aviation in 2016 when she enrolled in the Aviation Management program at Georgian College. She completed internships at Sunwing Airlines and Air Georgian. Her placement at Air Georgian marked the start of her involvement in aviation supply chain operations, where her work ethic and initiative led to a full-time job offer during a company-wide hiring freeze.

Khokhar remained at Air Georgian until March 2020, when the aviation industry was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of slowing down, she pivoted by enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and joining a start-up airline. There, she led the parts department and ensured audit readiness. In 2021, she joined Porter Airlines as Supervisor, Inventory and Stores, stepping into a leadership role during a time of post-pandemic instability and workforce shortages.

Khokhar holds a Junior Board role with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation and is an active member of Women in Aviation’s Upper Canada Chapter. She also volunteers with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as an Assistant Training Officer. 

What excites you most about aviation?

I’m passionate about developing future talent through mentoring with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation and the Air Cadets. Canadian aviation offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in a close-knit, but globally connected, industry.

Kate Klassen
Training and Regulatory Specialist, InDro Robotics, Victoria, B.C.

Kate Klassen, 36, is a commercial pilot and flight instructor for both airplanes and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, holding a commercial, multi-engine, IFR fixed-wing licence, as well as a Level 1 Complex Operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) certification. She is also an RPAS flight reviewer.

Klassen currently manages InDro Robotics’ training initiatives under the FLYY Drones program, while contributing to advancing sector standards. She began developing and implementing RPAS pilot training programs across Canada in 2014, ensuring safe and effective integration of drone pilots into the national airspace. Klassen created one of Canada’s first online drone ground schools before the 2019 introduction of Transport Canada regulations for drone pilots, positioning her as a key educator for the influx of pilots pursuing certifications.

Klassen also contributed to key Transport Canada initiatives, including revisions to the Aeronautical Information Manual, the Pilot Knowledge Requirement document, and the exam question bank, as well as managing the development of RPAS 101. As the Industry Co-chair of the Canadian Drone Advisory Committee (CanaDAC), she ensured that industry perspectives were represented in national drone policy discussions. Klassen is a long-standing board member of the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada. She holds a BBA – Aviation from the University of New Brunswick and a Management of Technology MBA from Simon Fraser University.

What excites you most about aviation?

We’re on the cusp of a major evolution in aviation. Technologies like battery-electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, cargo and passenger-carrying drones and innovative airframe designs are creating new ways to deliver air services. These changes will help us reach more Canadians wherever they are, and whenever they need it. We’re not far from a future where a cargo drone routinely brings supplies to a remote community, first responder drones arrive with life-saving supplies for motorists stuck on a highway following a landslide, or a team of drones coordinates in real-time to assess damage and deliver equipment after a wildfire.

Laurane Lestan
Manager, IOSA Operations, International Air Transport Association, Montréal, Que.

Laurane Lestan, 32, developed a passion for aviation early in life from her grandparents and several family members in the industry, but ultimately from her father’s dream to become an airline pilot. Although life led him elsewhere, Lestan’s father earned his private pilot licence and would take her flying. She began learning to fly at age 15 and, at 20, became a flight instructor at Cargair Flight Academy before joining Max Aviation and then Air Inuit as an airline pilot.

Lestan then trained as an Air Traffic Controller on her path toward becoming a key figure in the advancement of aviation safety. In her current role at the International Air Transport Association, Lestan helps to oversee and enhance global airline safety standards. She also leads internal training programs for new hires. 

Lestan was recently selected as one of Elevate Aviation’s Inspire 2025 recipients in recognition of her advocacy for women and underrepresented groups in aviation. As part of this work, she has volunteered at Elevate’s Cross-Country Tours. She also visited primary schools to encourage young students to dream big – especially girls considering STEM careers. Lestan currently serves as Chair of the Quebec Chapter of The Ninety-Nines.

Why is your organization unique?

I oversee the operations of a globally recognized system designed to assess and improve airline operational safety. This role is both a privilege and a fascinating challenge, but what makes it truly rewarding is the opportunity to engage with airlines from all corners of the world, each bringing unique perspectives, operational approaches, and cultural influences on aviation safety. Despite their differences, they are all united by a shared commitment to ensuring safe and reliable air travel.

Craig MacInnis
Director, Infrastructure, Sydney Airport Authority, Sydney, N.S.

Craig MacInnis, 37, took the opportunity to develop his career in aviation two years ago, after working in the fields of power generation and metal fabrication through oil exploration. These roles helped prepare him for the regulations of aviation and the problem solving of airport operations.

MacInnis, who earned a Bachelor of Engineering from Memorial University, made an immediate impact on his hometown McCurdy Sydney Airport. He led the airport through critical upgrades, from modernizing aged infrastructure to launching its largest capital project in 25 years – the rehabilitation of Runway 06-24, completed in half of the standard time of a project this size. MacInnis has overseen full-site LED upgrades, HVAC and circulating pump retrofits, and introduced modernized systems like cloud-based parking infrastructure and more accessible terminal entryways. 

Under MacInnis’ leadership, the airport recovered from Hurricane Fiona and the 2024 snowstorm, maintaining operational continuity during these states of emergencies. He leads a multidisciplinary team of operations, maintenance and security personnel to improve operational efficiency.

Why is your company unique?

We are a small team that sets the bar high to accomplish a lot with the resources we have. Every day is unique as we wear many hats to ensure smooth operation at the Sydney Airport.

Travis Mizera
General Manager, Airborne Energy Solutions, Whitecourt, Alta.

Travis Mizera, 36, grew up immersed in the world of aviation with both his grandfather and father being pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – two roles he now fulfills at Airborne Energy Solutions (AES). Some of his earliest memories are of sitting between them both as a toddler in his grandfather’s Bell 47. After high school, Mizera enrolled in the aircraft maintenance program at SAIT. He completed his fixed-wing pilot licence and, after about a decade of wrenching aircraft, pursued his helicopter pilot licence. AES is traditionally a charter company that provides helicopter services, in addition to leveraging fixed-wing assets, for oil, gas, forestry and mining industries in Western Canada and the Arctic.

Mizera in 2024, working closely with Transport Canada, played a pivotal role in bringing in multiple CH-47 Chinook helicopters – with its partner Billings Flying Service – for wildfire suppression during one of Alberta’s most severe fire seasons AES in 2023 also added a UH60A Black Hawk, one of just a handful to operate in Canada, which helped fight last year’s wildfires in Jasper National Park. Such a diverse helicopter fleet, which also includes Astar, Bell, Robinson and Eurocopter aircraft, allows AES to serve a wide range of missions.

Why is your company unique?

We have the ability to bring in new pilots at the beginning of their careers and give them the experience and mentorship needed to grow. They might start in a light piston aircraft, but over time they can progress to flying medium- and heavy-lift helicopters in complex environments. We invest in our people long-term. Many of our pilots can build a full career with AES, from entry-level flying all the way to advanced multi-crew aircraft.

Shane Nicholson
Director of Maintenance, Onex Corp., Mississauga, Ont.

Shane Nicholson, 36, has always been surrounded by aviation, spending his childhood in hangars and flying in small bush planes in Papua New Guinea where his father was both a pilot and an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME). In high school, Nicholson developed a love for restoring old cars and motorcycles; and, in his final year, he realized aircraft maintenance combined that same hands-on satisfaction with a whole new level of complexity. He graduated from Canadore College in 2010 and took on AME apprenticeships at Heli-Lynx Helicopters and the Ontario MNR.

Nicholson has been with Onex now for 13 years, starting off as a junior AME. He met his wife on the first day he was hired, later on in the afternoon at a Telus phone store (they now have four children together). Since joining Onex, Nicholson has completed the Master Technician program for both the Hawker 850XP and Gulfstream G650. Today, he manages a small maintenance team in a highly professional, private flight department that has been operating successfully for decades. Working on some of the world’s most-advanced civilian aircraft, getting to know all of their systems inside and out, provides the team with a unique level of trust in terms of safety and technical excellence from senior leadership

In addition to his AME M1 and M2 licences, Nicholson also holds Airframe and Powerplant and an Inspection Authorization licences granted by the FAA.

What excites you most about aviation?

From cutting-edge engine and fly-by-wire systems to the push toward sustainable and electric propulsion, there’s always something new to learn. I find the innovation of aviation incredibly motivating. In Canada, it’s great to see how much advancement is happening. Companies like Bombardier, De Havilland Canada, and Pratt & Whitney are competing on a global stage, leading with world-class technologies and designs.

Andrew Park
General Manager, Langley, StandardAero, Langley, B.C.

Andrew Park, 37, did not grow up in an aviation household but his mechanically minded curiosity gravitated toward flight after his parents, who immigrated from South Korea, planned a family trip from Toronto to Seoul via Anchorage on a sky-blue Korean Air 747. He began flight training out of CYEG after getting his first part-time job, but was unable to finish because of financial constraints. Just flying in the same airspace as 737s and A320s, however, left an indelible impression as he went on to study business and law in university.

Park began his career as a corporate lawyer with Vancouver’s largest law firm, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin. In 2015, he joined Vector Aerospace as manager, then soon became Director of Commercial for the helicopter business unit in B.C. In 2017, Park moved to Gosport to support Vector’s UK business, before returning to Canada in 2018, after Vector was purchased by StandardAero, as Director, Major Program Capture, for the company’s military division. In 2021, Park rejoined the helicopter business unit as Director of Airframe Sales Operations, Strategy and Contracts, and, in 2022, he was promoted to his current position as General Manager of StandardAero’s helicopter airframe facility in Langley. He spearheaded a pivotal turnaround of the business with consecutive years of growth, including the introduction of innovative products, such as advanced glass cockpit solutions and an industry-first 4-axis autopilot for light helicopters, as well as new lines of business including aircraft leasing.

Park dedicates significant time to community engagement, including supporting local food banks, community health and social services providers, One Hope Community Church and the Langley Christmas Bureau program. He is a member of the Program Advisory Committee at the B.C. Institute of Technology.

Why is your company unique?

StandardAero has grown to be one of the largest independent engine MROs in the world and, as part of its growth, has brought in a range of aerospace capabilities beyond turbine engines. This includes expertise on airframes – not just repair and maintenance, but also modifications and upgrades. The depth and breadth of expertise in the organization across such a cross-section of specializations is truly impressive.

Zimone Pelton
Safety Manager, Sierra Helicopters, Pitt Meadows, B.C.

Zimone Pelton, 38, entered aviation in an administrative role with a heli-tourism company. It was not until joining Sierra, however, that she developed a true passion for the industry. With Sierra now for close to eight years, Pelton has been instrumental in elevating the company’s safety culture and operational excellence through the development of its Safety Management System.

Under Pelton’s guidance, Sierra has not only met but exceeded industry safety standards, ensuring a proactive and resilient safety framework. Working closely with regulatory bodies, Pelton refined policies, procedures and risk-management strategies, embedding safety into every facet of Sierra’s operations. Her work fosters an environment where safety is a shared responsibility for employees at all levels. This included the introduction of training programs, improved hazard reporting systems, and stronger internal auditing processes. 

Pelton began her own company, Zulu Aviation Services, to conduct external audits, helping other organizations identify and implement safety solutions that align with their unique operational needs.

Why is your company unique?

Over the past 7 1/2 years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of an incredibly diverse and fast-paced environment within the helicopter utility sector. From wildfire suppression and LiDAR scanning to heavy-lift operations, there’s never a dull moment – each day brings new opportunities to learn and grow. 

Cory Pereira
Operations Manager, AAR Windsor, Windsor, Ont.

Cory Pereira, 36, captivated by the complexity of aircraft growing up, joined AAR’s Windsor operation five years ago and quickly progressed from mechanic to ACA, lead, crew chief and now Operations Manager – reflecting his knowledge gained from more than 13 years of maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing a range of aircraft. After beginning his career as a ramp agent with Handlex, Airport Terminal Services and Air Canada, Pereira took on his first Aircraft Maintenance Engineer role with Wright International before rejoining Air Canada prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In late-2020, he joined AAR, a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries covering four segments: Parts supply, repair and engineering, integrated solutions, and expeditionary services. In his current role, Pereira manages multiple complex maintenance projects, ensuring they are completed efficiently, safely and in full compliance with regulatory standards.

Pereira is also a passionate mentor and educator who dedicates significant time to training and guiding apprentices and junior technicians. He has implemented additional safety systems that align with company policies, which has improved day-to-day operational awareness.

Why is your company unique?

We’re more than an MRO, we’re a mentorship-driven organization. Our team fosters an environment where experience meets ambition; and where apprentices are empowered early on through real responsibility and leadership development. AAR’s unique approach to collaboration and cross-bay learning gives us an edge. It’s not just about aircraft delivery; it’s about growing future leaders in aviation.

Mario Santarossa
Assistant General Manager and Captain, Gateway Aviation, Windsor, Ont.

Mario Santarossa, 27, began his aviation career detailing airplanes for three years while attending the University of Windsor and finding time for flight training within the bachelor’s degree program. He played a pivotal role in the successful launch of Gateway Aviation’s Fixed Base Operation, which is part of the Air Elite by World Fuel network and a key aviation facility for southwestern Ontario that opened in 2017.

Santarossa in 2021 was named Assistant General Manager for Gateway where he continues to help drive its development through strategic planning. After graduating flight school, Santarossa started his corporate aviation career at Gateway and had the opportunity to fly one of the company’s aircraft managed by Execaire Aviation, where he has since built enough flight time to become a Captain on a KingAir 350i. Santarossa played an integral role in the development of Gateway’s corporate flight department and also assumed the responsibility of coordinating and managing aircraft scheduling to maintain operational efficiency.

Santarossa’s dual role, both on the ground and in the air, gives him a unique perspective on client experience, aircraft services and industry trends, which is further supported through his involvement with the Air Elite network to be aligned with international best practices in business aviation. He now mentors younger staff rising through the company.

What is a favourite aviation memory?

One of my favourite career milestones was earning my first type rating. After years of working at Gateway Aviation Windsor, balancing FBO responsibilities, long hours, flight school, and completing my university degree, I was given the opportunity to go on course for one of our corporate aircraft. That moment represented so much more than a new qualification; it was the culmination of years of dedication, hard work and, most importantly, the trust placed in me by our management and ownership team. It’s an achievement that I’m truly grateful for; and a reminder that perseverance and trust in aviation go hand in hand.

Ian Stewart
Captain E550, AirSprint Private Aviation, Calgary, Alta.

Ian Stewart, 38, was fascinated by airplanes as child, recalling his first flight at age nine from Hong Kong’s now defunct international airport Kai Tak. He began his flight training at age 16 at Cooking Lake Aviation and earned his private pilot licence before graduating high school. Stewart then attended the aviation program at Calgary’s Mount Royal University.

After his initial flight training, Stewart’s pilot experience continued in northern Canada where he operated more than 1,000 air ambulance missions over a seven-year span with two companies – on behalf of Alberta Health Services. After flying charters for Can-West as a Captain on the King Air 200 for two years, Stewart turned toward the business aviation sector in 2017. He progressed at Aurora Jet Partners from a First Officer on the Challenger 605 to a Captain on the Challenger 650. 

Stewart for two years joined the Southern Interior Flight Centre as an instructor on its Level 2 simulator in Kelowna, B.C., where he redesigned the simulator training syllabus at the Flight Training Unit’s partnering school Okanagan College. Three years ago, Stewart was hired as a direct-entry Captain at AirSprint Private Aviation, where he currently operates international and oceanic flights on Embraer Legacy aircraft.

What excites you most about aviation?

I’m excited about the new technology that NAV Canada is adopting and, when we switch to trajectory-based operations, it will open the door for all sorts of exciting opportunities like drone delivery or reducing our carbon footprint even further.

Joshua Tsuchino
Senior Director, Global Supply Chain, StandardAero, Winnipeg, Man.

Joshua Tsuchino, 35, was drawn to aviation because of the importance of the work the industry does. He joined the aerospace MRO industry in 2015 with StandardAero’s Winnipeg team as a Materials Specialist. Since then he has enjoyed a series of promotions to Manager, Materials (2016 – 2019); Senior Manager, Supply Chain (2019); Director, Materials (2019 – 2021); and finally, in 2022, to his current role.

During his tenure with StandardAero, Tsuchino achieved a significant number of milestones, such as coordinating supply chain activities, with the management of shared resources and standardized processes across a global network of 50 facilities. He leveraged his strong ERP and data engineering background to consolidate, enhance and standardize data analytics across more than 12 ERP systems. 

Tsuchino was selected as a core supply chain team member for M&A management, a role which has included opportunity analysis across $4 billion in annual spending, price harmonization and spend consolidation. He is responsible for the strategic planning of materials and services, supplier performance management, HR allocation, and problem root cause analysis/corrective action for StandardAero.

Why is your company unique?

We have always been an organization driven by excellent people, all highly focused on quality, safety and customer value. Through tremendous and rapid growth during my time at StandardAero, we’ve maintained the culture that makes this such a great place to be. | W