Catching up with Adrian Gafton

We caught up with Adrian Gafton (AVAO Class 9, pictured left) a few days ago and here is what he has been up to since Grad!

"After finishing BCIT, in January 2010, I secured a three-month contract with YVR helping out with operational and logistical requirements for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Initially I was part of the Emergency Planning team and then transitioned to Customer Service where for a month I had the opportunity to act as an Administrative Assistant for the Operations Department.

Working at YVR through the Olympic rush was a unique and rewarding experience. I was able to practice my communication and networking skills, which helped when meeting people with enormous aviation background. The knowledge gained through BCIT Airport Operations course facilitated an exclusive work experience where I had the pleasure to provide interpreter services for:

The Sochi Airport Director and his consultants with whom we shared technological, logistical and planning, experience for Olympic Games.

• The Russian pilots of the cargo presidential aircraft.
• The Sochi Olympic Committee who greatly appreciated our hospitality and Olympic planning insight.

That's only small part of the invaluable aviation experience I gained, and I would like to thank those people at YVR who gave my aviation career a jump start. Although my contract was short I believe the connections acquired and industry experience will have a long lasting effect on my future aviation career.

On June 15th, I started a new phase in my career as a Scientific Technologist for the Aviation Research Corporation (ARC).  ARC is a research/consulting company that provides simulation software with a large spectrum of aviation activity for sound management decisions.

I am sure you are curious to find out what a Scientific Technologist does, well, I was interested too! The software ARC has developed is truly one of its kind; it allows the user to combine all aviation processes, starting with curb operations and concluding with airspace, into one congruent simulation model that delivers operational reports consequently used by airport operators to make management decisions. The software is supported by a number of technicians, of which I am one. Currently, I am concluding a draft on an Airside Simulation User Manual that will provide our customers with reference documentation on how to construct airside models. After I finish the User Manual, I will have my first debut modeling the airside component of a major European airport. In short, as a Scientific Technologist I test, document findings and suggest solutions to flow problems at major airports around the world! I sincerely hope to stay and evolve with ARC as I think it brings the best out in me by challenging my education and experience, which in turn benefits the company.

In conclusion I would like to bow to all my instructors at BCIT for creating and maintaining such an outstanding training course in an exceptional industry."  Adrian Gafton