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How did you get started in the aviation maintenance field?
Ironically I was working in the electrical field when one of my mentors and teachers provided me with an opportunity to join a new program that was being offered by Standard Aero and a Vocational high school in Winnipeg as an introduction to Aviation. I attended the one-hour seminar and began to investigate some of the terms and careers noted in the seminar. A year later I found the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program being offered in Thunder Bay at Confederation where I completed my two-year diploma and the rest is history, that was 22 years ago now!
What are some of the most interesting parts of your position that someone might not know about?
On any given month, there are over 1500 maintenance tasks performed on our fleet! With a team of approximately 500 plus professionals.
Is this a growing field? What type of career progression can an entry-level maintenance technician expect?
YES, the demand continues to grow year over year as travel demands increase. Unfortunately, the enrollment in the Aircraft Maintenance School programs is outpaced by demand. The result is boundless opportunity for entry-level and experienced AME’s across our great country. Typically an entry-level (apprentice) AME will have completed their two-year diploma before coming to us where they would then find themselves working hands-on and supervised by and licensed AME for about two years before writing their final Transport Canada exam and completing their logbook of tasks to then obtain their Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license (AME). The aircraft maintenance stream offers many different areas of focus beyond the physical repair and overhaul to support the maintenance schedule including Quality Assurance, Engineering, Maintenance Control, and Reliability just to name a few.
What does safety mean to you?
It is always first and always the most important factor in my role. Here is me and my daughter and those I think of when I maintain our fleet.
Maria Kostaras
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