Aviation Leadership Forum

Class 13 attends the Aviation Leadership Forum

Airport Operations Classes 13 and 14 attended the fourth annual Aviation Leadership Forum on Tuesday February 22.  The forum focused on leadership as a safety journey begiining with personal examples from guest speakers Janet Austin (CEO, Vancouver YWCA); Captain Claire Maxwell (Aircraft Accident Investigator for the Directorate of Flight Safety, Canada's Airforce) and Donna Wilson (Vice President Industry Services and Sustainability, Worksafe BC).

Lunch was followed by a Leadership Cafe, and students had an opportunity to participate in discussions with industry representatives from a variety of facets of the aviation industry. It was rewarding to dig into topics and issues such as complacency, leadership and branding safety. 

The event wrapped up with presentations from Mike Plottel (Director Safety Services, Westjet); Bill Yearwood, Pacific Regional Manager, Transportation Safety Board) and Renee DuPont-Adam, (Vice President System Safety Services).

Forum organizers and volunteers

Students who attended the forum commented that the content complimented their current training in Human Factors and Safety Management Systems.   

Paper Airplane Contest

Peter Grainger checked out the Student's Union sponsored Wright Brothers paper airplane contest in the hub on February 24, 2011. Take a look:
CTV British Columbia - Peter Grainger on flying paper planes - CTV News

The New Maximum Altitude

Maximum Altitude Memebers at the Museum of Flight

On February 19th 2011, under great flying conditions with clear blue skies and an exquisite winter sun, Maximum Altitude, the ATC campus’ first student run club officially lifted off.

Over 30 participants made the trip down to Seattle’s Museum of Flight for the club’s inaugural event. Highlights included the Concorde supersonic jet, the first jet Air Force One, and the flight simulator. Some members were even lucky enough to be treated to an unexpected Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing.

All in all, the trip was a great success. Please stay tuned as the club executives have already feverishly started on the next Maximum Altitude Event.  (article and photo submitted by Wei Jin)

Airport Operations Class 11 Graduation

Congratulations to Airport Operations Class 11 who graduated on Wednesday February 23, which, as National Aviation Day was very fitting!  Two very special awards were presented on Wednesday:

• Isaac Hui, earned the Top Student Award and graduated with Distinction.  This means that Isaac earned an overall average of over 89.5% in the past 16 months.  Great work Isaac!
• Tristan Calvo was awarded the Best All Around Student Award for his commitment, dedication and outstanding work ethic throughout the entire program.

Also at the graduation ceremony, Mike Matthews, Chair of the British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC), presented all graduating students a one-year free membership to BCAC.  This organization offers educational opportunities along with events and conferences for networking and relationship building.  We hope that all the graduates will take advantage of this gift.

Congratulations to all the Class 11 graduates:  Adam Charles Bingham, Tristan Calvo, Sarah Chandra, Isaac Hui, Lean Lauron, Wynne Li, Yu Lin (Albert) Lin, Alex Lo, Scott McRurie, Erny Nazario, Sheila Tajonera, Kaylen Van Sickle, and Tiffani Wong.  We wish you well and look forward to hearing how your aviation careers take-off!  

Airport Operations Class 11

February 23, Canada's National Aviation Day

Since 2009, Canadians have celebrated the Canadian Centennial of Flight by designating February 23 as National Aviation Day.

National Aviation Day celebrates the successes of aviation pioneers and of the aviation industry in Canada by shining a spotlight on the first heavier-than-air, powered flight in Canada, which took place on Bras d'Or Lake near Baddeck, Nova Scotia, on 23 February 1909. The pilot, John A. Douglas McCurdy, a member of the Aerial Experiment Association, flew the Silver Dart for just under one kilometre over the frozen lake.

We encourage everyone to take a few moments on February 23 to reflect on Canada's aviation heritage!

Congratulations Trevor McKay (Geoff Smulders Memorial Scholarship)

Trevor McKay

Trevor was presented with the Geoff Smulders Memorial Scholarhsip Award last Wednesday. The scholarship was established in 2005 by Geoff's family and friends to keep Geoff's spirit alive after he lost his life in a tragic accident in Aprl 2005. Geoff had passion for flying and his family and friends selected the BCIT Airline & Flight Operations program as the "program of choice" for a memorial award in his honour.

Congratulations on this recognition of Trevor's passion for aviation!Congratulations  to Trevor McKay, Airline & Flight Operations Class 9!

In flight Career Opportunity with Jazz

Jazz is recruiting for Flight Attendants to provide excellent customer service and deliver the high quality service for which Jazz is recognized.

Key Responsibilities: Participate in crew briefings and debriefings: obtain necessary flight information; Perform pre-flight checks of emergency & safety equipment, passenger cabin, lavatory, systems, documentations and catering; Assist passengers with boarding, deplaning and assist with cabin clean-up; Deliver all safety and service announcements/demonstrations; Prepare cabin for take-off, landing and monitor cabin during flight; Deliver high quality service, including serving beverages/snacks and credit card handling, in an organized manner as established for each flight; Report all irregularities or incidents using the applicable documentation; Liaise with the flight deck; Provide leadership, direction, and assistance to passengers and colleagues; Perform duties in accordance with established policies and procedures while giving primary consideration to personal safety, the safety of co-workers and customers. Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Communicate effectively in both French and English (candidates must successfully complete language testing to be considered); 18 years of age or older; High school diploma or equivalent. Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status as well as the ability to travel outside Canada without restrictions; Two years customer service work experience; Height must be 5'11" or less (including a one (1) inch heel) due to the size of some of our aircraft; Hold a current passport and any additional visa documentation required to travel outside Canada; Must obtain and maintain a Restricted Area Identification Card (to be obtained upon employment); Must successfully complete the Company approved Initial Flight Attendant Training program with Company Standards (approximately 6 weeks in duration); Excellent interpersonal, communication and customer service skills; Must have a positive attitude and work well unsupervised; Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Please be advised that interviews will be conducted in various locations across Canada. Review of applications begins 10 days after position is posted and continues until the position is filled. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you.

www.flyjazz.ca/careers

Are you interested in Noise?

If you are interested in how noise is managed at Vancouver International Airport you may consider joining the YVR Noise Management staff at one of the information seminars:

• Saturday 19 March 2011, 10am- noon
• Saturday 16 July 2011, 10am- noon
• Saturday 15 October 2011, 10am- noon
• Saturday 26 November 2011, 10am-noon

The seminars will include: A brief presentation on noise management practices at YVR along with an interactive demonstration of the Aircraft Noise & Operations Monitoring System (ANOMS). This system receives noise data from 20 fixed noise monitoring terminals located in the community as well as radar flight track information. This allows YVR Noise Management staff to measure the contribution of aircraft noise in the community and to track aircraft operations for compliance with procedures.

 A bus tour of the airfield will follow, and provides a unique opportunity to view aircraft operations at a busy international airport. Please note that this tour is weather dependent and may be cancelled during adverse weather conditions.

Registration, no later than one week prior to the seminar date, is required as space is limited. Also, valid government issued photo identification is a requisite to participate in the airfield tour.  For further information, or to register, click here.

For more information on the seminars, including how to register, please contact YVR Noise Management at noise@yvr.ca.

Airport Operations Class 11 Graduation

Please join us as we celebrate Airport Operations Class 11 Graduation on Wednesday, February 23 from 1400 - 1600 in the ATC Hub! 

Coincidentally, the grad is taking place on National Aviation Day!  What a great send off of a great group of students. Parking is complimentary for the graduation, but will be limited in the guest parking lot, so you may wish to park in the student lot on the southside of the campus (off Russ Baker Way).

Come on out to wish Class 11 well!

Congratulations - Jody He and Diane Kim

Diane Kim & Jody He

Congratulations to Diane Kim and Jody He (AVAO Class 10) who are about to begin a career in aviation security with Garda!  The two are on their way to Fort McMurray for the first time ever to start training for their new full-time positions  as pre-board security screeners.

The hiring process has been a lengthy one for Jody and Diane, and included testing for aptitude, language skills, numeracy and was followed by interviews, and security clearances.  Jody pointed out that the behavioral interview skills learned and practiced at BCIT were very useful as the style was common for both of her recent interviews.  People were very interested in what topics were covered in the Aviation Operations program at school as well as how those skills were applied.  They both felt fortunate to have practicum experiences and volunteer experiences to back up the knowledge gained in class with real industry application.   

Congratulations Diane and Jody! 

Safety - A Leadership Journey

A host of aviation professionals are gathering at the 4th annual Leadership Forum this month at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel to discuss skill development and safety advancements.


Taking place on Tuesday, February 22, the Forum features a number of exciting speakers, including: Shelly Chambers, Director, International Operations, Transport Canada; Janet Austin, CEO, YWCA; Bill Yearwood, Director Pacific Region, Transport Safety Board; and Chief Kim Baird, Elected Chief, Tsawwassen First Nation.

Hosted by the Aviation Leadership Foundation in conjunction with the Vancouver Chapter of International Women in Aviation, the Forum brings together aviation professionals to develop leadership skills and further advancements in the future of aviation safety.  Sponsors of the 4th Annual Aviation Leadership Forum include: Vancouver Airport Authority as the Diamond Sponsor, Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators, KISIK Aerial Survey Inc. and Canadian North.

The Forum is open to all aviation professionals, with a reduced rate offered for current students.  Click here to register!

Kenn Borek Memorial Scholarship (Flight Ops)

The Northern Air Transport Association announces the deadline for the Kenn Borek Memorial Scholarship for 2011 will be February 11, 2011. The scholarship is in honour of Kenn Borek who founded Kenn Borek Air  in 1970. Now owning and operating over 50 aircraft, Kenn Borek Air provides services worldwide on all seven continents. Kenn Borek Air is also recognized worldwide for its spectacular rescue missions, including in the Antarctic.

Kenn Borek was not only a successful businessman, he was also a community leader honoured for his significant contribution to his community with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal in 2002. In recognition of his achievements, the Borek Group of Companies established an annual scholarship in the amount of $4,000, which was established to assist Western and Northern Canadian students pursuing careers in aviation. The scholarship awarded is to be used by the successful applicant to fund their aviation education.

Criteria for this scholarship include:
• the student must be accepted into a pilot or aircraft maintenance training program at an accredited post-secondary institution
• the student must be a Canadian Citizens residing in the Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, British Columbia or Alberta
• the student must have a Grade 12 diploma or equivalency, and be
• between the ages of 18 and 30

For further information, or to apply for this scholarship, please click here!