CAMEA Outstanding AME Award

Previously known as the NAASCO Outstanding AME Award. This award recognizes any AME or
manager holding an AME license in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northern Ontario that
has performed an extraordinary act of service or has shown leadership, dedicated
technical service and has been active in nurturing and training other mechanics.

AME Rookie of the Year Award

The AME Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the next rising star with outstanding dedication to learning their craft.

Women AME in Training Award

The CAMEA – Ninety-Nine scholarship award for Women AME in Training is a significant step towards promoting and supporting women in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) field. Through this newly formed scholarship, we aim to inspire and attract more women into the field of AME and provide them with the resources to achieve their goals.

Do you know someone that should be thanked? Do you know an Outstanding AME? Nominate someone today!  Click Here

(Download the fillable form to complete and submit it.)

 

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Women AME in Training

2023 Winner – Helene Trudeau

Hélène has been studying Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Red River College Polytech in Winnipeg and is now an AME apprentice at Fast Air. She hopes to contribute to aviation safety and to bring people along the journey with her to encourage young girls through her volunteer efforts with various local organizations. As a member of the Friends of the 99s, she has recently helped install a winter kit on their Cessna 152 and looks forward to assisting in projects involving the organization and the aircraft.

AME Rookie of the Year Awards

2023 Winner – EJ Panlilio

2020 Winner – Matthew Granson

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CAMEA Outstanding AME

2023 Winner – Henri Boulanger

 

 

Henri Boulanger obtained his commercial pilot and AME licenses in the early 60s. He spent many years flying bush planes for Bearskin Lake Air Service and maintaining aircraft in Big Trout Lake, Ontario. Henri then moved to Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, in the late 70s, where he worked as a pilot and maintenance worker for several local air services, including Silver Pine, Tall Timber, and Bluewater Aviation. He has completed contract work for Buffalo Airways and Adventure Air throughout his career.

In recent years, Henri’s work has primarily involved completing annual inspections for private customers, many of whom have become his close friends. Salvage jobs are among the most challenging tasks for an AME, requiring repairing and flying the aircraft safely. Despite working in bitterly cold winters, Henri has always enjoyed his work and its challenges. He considers working in a warm hanger a treat compared to outdoor maintenance.

 

2022 Winner – Mike McCartan

Mike McCartan has been involved in the Aviation Industry for over 35 years. He obtained his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) M1, M2 and S33 licenses from Stevenson Aviation College (Now RRC Stevenson College).

Mike started his career with La Ronge Aviation, where he joined as a dockhand and gradually worked up to the position of Base Supervisor in Lynn Lake, MB and Saskatoon, SK. At La Ronge Aviation, he worked in various capacities, including corporate operations, float operations, commercial, fire suppression, medivac, and the airlines.

After his successful stint at La Ronge Aviation, Mike joined Saskatchewan Government Air Services, serving in the Fire Suppression division for several years. He then moved on to Points North Air Services, where he became the Director of Maintenance.

In 1999, Mike McCartan relocated to Winnipeg, MB, where he joined Air Canada, serving in various capacities for several years. During his time at Air Canada, he earned endorsements on the Airbus A320 series aircraft and the Boeing 737, which helped further enhance his technical expertise and experience in the aviation industry. Mike then joined SkyService Airlines from 2005 to 2010, where he held the position of Base Maintenance Manager for both the Winnipeg base and the Belfast, Northern Ireland operation.

Over the years, Mike has invested in his personal and professional development, acquiring various certifications and training to enhance his leadership skills and technical expertise. He has Workplace Leadership in Aerospace certificates and has completed both Management and Supervisory Training and Project Management Introduction through Red River College. He has also completed the Dale Carnegie Training in Effective Communications and Human Relations as a participant and a Group Leader.

Moreover, Mike has completed advanced leadership training with John Maxwell Certification Program and is a certified trainer and coach, which showcases his commitment to personal and professional growth. Through his dedication to continuous learning and development, he has become a well-rounded professional with technical and leadership skills highly valued in the aviation industry.

Mike McCartan is an accomplished professional in the aviation industry and a devoted family man who resides in Winnipeg with his wife, Heather, and their three sons, Brayden, Cole and Nick.

Mike’s passion for personal and professional development extends beyond his career, as he believes in giving back to the community and helping others achieve their full potential. He is a true advocate of lifelong learning and an inspiration to those around him, both professionally and personally.

 

2020 Winner – Dennis Lyons

Dennis Lyons is the Person Responsible for Maintenance for Fast Air Ltd. In addition to this, he is also the Operations Manager for the Helicopter Division. Dennis began his career in 1979 with the Armed Forces working and instructing on Fighters and Helicopters. After retiring, he ran his business for 10 years providing Aircraft Maintenance and consulting services. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace and on the Board for the Central Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association and the Manitoba Aviation Council.

2019 Winner – Brian Deane

Brian started his career in aircraft maintenance in 1980, working for Kubys Aircraft in Kenora, Ontario, apprenticing on De Havilland, Cessna, Beechcraft, Norseman and Piper float planes.

From Kubys, Brian moved to Air Manitoba in Winnipeg, where he obtained his Aircraft Maintenance Engineers licence and endorsements on the Douglas DC3, Curtiss Commando C46 and the Hawker Siddeley 748 aircraft.

Brian toured Canada’s north as a flight engineer on these aircraft visiting many remote communities in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The most challenging aspect was operating and maintaining the C46 aircraft outside during the winter because they were too big to fit in the hangar. While at Air Manitoba, Brian managed the sheet metal shop and later was promoted to a chief crew position maintaining the aircraft.

Brian left Air Manitoba to work as an AME at the Manitoba Government Air Service. He spent the summers on fires in Manitoba, Ontario and the Territories with the Canadair CL215 aircraft. While at the Air Service, he obtained a CL215 endorsement and a Transport Canada S structures licence.

Brian obtained a Certificate in Quality Assurance Management from the University of Manitoba, which led to a Quality Assurance Manager position with the Manitoba Apprenticeship Branch, where he was responsible for the Transport Canada-approved Aircraft Maintenance apprenticeship program. Working closely with Red River College Stevenson Campus eventually led to becoming the QA Manager for both Apprenticeship and Stevenson Campus. In this position, Brian developed accreditation manuals and curriculums for Transport Canada and Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace training programs delivered by the college. He also worked closely with Maples Collegiate and Tec Voc Collegiate to implement aircraft maintenance training at those institutes. He volunteered as a lead advisor to Manitoba Education in the development of a provincial aircraft maintenance curriculum to be used as an elective program in provincial high schools.

As an active member of the Central AME Association since its inception, he has served as Vice President. He also volunteered for 10 years with Skills Canada/Skills Manitoba, developing the aircraft maintenance contest scope and mentoring Manitoba contestants during the event.

Brian retired from Red River College in January 2013 and established a successful aviation consulting company specializing in Quality Assurance and maintenance training program development and delivery. He has provided services to medium and small aviation companies in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

There have been many exciting moments maintaining aircraft and flying around the north but working with apprentices, college students and young high school students, seeing them obtain their dream was the most rewarding part of his career.

2018 Winner – William Grassick

Bill Grassick started his career in aviation by taking aircraft maintenance at the Southern Albert Institute of Technology (1959-1961).

For twelve years, he worked doing sheet metal, starting with Field Aviation in Calgary (1961), Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg (1963-1966), Trans Canada Airlines (1966-1969), CAE (1969-1971), and finally Saunders Aircraft in Gimli (1972-1975). When working at Saunders Aircraft, Bill was instrumental in setting up the sheet metal training center and worked as a sheet metal instructor training employees for work at Saunders Aircraft.

On leaving Saunders Aircraft, he wrote and passed the AME licence exams before going to work for Perimeter Aviation as Chief Engineer (1975-1979)

After leaving Perimeter, he went to work for Air Canada, overhauling the air force Boeing 707 fleet. In 1981 Bill was promoted to heavy maintenance supervisor with a crew of fifty to eighty personnel working on Boeing 727, Douglas DC-8, DC-9 and L1011 aircraft.  At its peak, the Air Canada overhaul facility employed 56 sheet metal personnel that had been trained at Saunders Aircraft.

At that time, Air Canada encouraged the employees to suggest improvements or changes that would save the company money. Bill earned several thousand dollars through the suggestion program saving Air Canada the equivalent of his yearly wages.

In 1984, when working at Air Canada, Bill became very allergic to a component in polyester paint and was off work for two years.  Being unable to work at Air Canada because of the hangar paint dust, Bill returned to Perimeter Aviation as Quality Assurance Manager (1986-1998).

In 1998 Bill left Perimeter and started his own incorporated business as an aviation consultant, which Bill continues to do to the present time. His consulting has also included being an Instructor for various aviation courses. Bill has trained hundreds of aviation technicians in human factors training and ten or more other training courses. Bill has worked hard to improve local aviation safety by helping companies improve their quality assurance programs.

Many of us have had the privilege of being associated with Bill over the years and have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Bill truly had a passion for life and the aviation industry as a whole. Bill has been involved with aviation for 61 years and has inspired and influenced many of us! Bill, you are a most deserving recipient of the Outstanding AME Award.

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Previous Winners

CAMEA Outstanding AME/NASCO Award Winners – The AME Hall of Fame!

2017 Winner – Mike Fennessy

 

Mike Fennessy started work at Trans Canada Airlines in Winnipeg in 1967.  He developed an interest in aircraft from being in Air Cadets and obtaining his pilot’s licence when he was 17. After graduation, he was hired to a term job at TCA as an aircraft mechanic apprentice. The YWG Heavy Maintenance facility overhauled Vickers Viscount, a 4-engine turbo-prop aircraft. The company at that time was closing the YWG base and setting up their new maintenance base in Dorval, Quebec.

He worked for Canadian Aviation Electronics-Aircraft Division, the company that took over the work in maintaining Air Canada’s Viscount Fleet of 51 aircraft. Well experienced in all aspects of this aircraft (overhaul, M.O.C. and spar mod, multiple engine changes, interconnection runs and taxiing authority) Mike wrote the required exams to become a D.O.T Certified Pre-Flight Engineer with CAE.

His recall back to what was now Air Canada took Mike to Toronto. Within the year, he was posted to the Chicago’s O’Hare Airport as an outstation mechanic where he worked for 4 ½ years.

On his return to YYZ, Mike set out to obtain the licence credentials in the Air Canada system and to bid on the next permanent opening. He gained lots of experience on numerous aircraft doing Line, A & B-Checks, on 747, L1011, DC8, DC9, B727., lots of snags and lots of good people to work with.

Air Canada announced Winnipeg to be a Heavy Maintenance Base for the B-727. Mike bids successfully to the promotion and returns with his young family to YWG as an Aircraft Inspector.

The introduction of the A320 Airbus was the next big change and opportunity that Mike obtained. He was selected to be on the Nucleus Crew for training and was also sent to Toulouse and Hamburg as the first Inspector to provide some progressive inspections on the assembly line.

Between 1996-2001 Mike accepted the task as Base Auditor in YWG. He also became part of the Core Audit Team with other inspectors and auditors located in YUL. Mike was called upon to participate when the group preformed vendor, fuel and base audits at stations throughout Canada.

During this period, Mike was requested to initiate setting up an internal NDT Department in YWG.

Mike was involved with the Union. He began as a shop steward and served in several positions throughout the years (Secretary Treasurer, Shop Committee, Trustee, Vice President, Recording Secretary and President). He represented the members on several committees and was involved in many issues and discussions to improve working conditions and efficiencies. His interest was always to ensure the betterment of both the members and the company and to work to the agreed to Collective Agreement.

Around 2002 – 2003 there was lots of talk about Quality.  The present system of Quality Control was felt to be inefficient. Quality Assurance was determined to be more productive and more efficient.  Transport Canada made the necessary changes and the Company transitioned the Aircraft Inspector position into the Process Auditor. Mike was selected to be on the Committee to represent the licensed group in Winnipeg during negotiations with the Union. Mike was in the Quality Department as an Aircraft Inspector for 23 years. Through the years, he held the endorsements on the Viscount, B-727, DC-9. A-319, A-320 and A-321.  From this point, Mike became a Quality Assurance Process Auditor, a position he held for the next 10 years. He concluded his working career after 44 years and 10 months of service.

With the bankruptcy of Aveos and dismissal of 400 maintenance and support personnel in YWG he chose not to pursue other employment. He had been working since July 1967- March 2012. With his extensive involvement with the Union he was asked to remain and take over as President, a position that he had formally held during the troubled times of 9/11, CCAA, the merger of AC and CAIL, the end of HPWO – This was to help to stabilize the Local Lodge. It was also to mentor some upcoming fellow members who will be leading and supporting the membership.in the future.

In the community, Mike volunteered for several years as Board Member for the Assiniboia West Community Center doing promotions and the newsletter. During those years, he also coached or managed hockey, baseball and soccer teams enjoying the experience with his sons Chris and Ryan and their friends.

Mike and his wife Judy volunteer with Dreams Take Flight and with the Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association (MRDA).

Member for the Air Canada Manitoba-Saskatchewan Pionair’s looking after membership. He also helps with the AC Maintenance Retiree Breakfast Club.

For over 20 years Mike has been on the Board of Directors for Softball Manitoba and is President of the Winnipeg Men’s So-Pitch League.

He is a facility and maintenance volunteer at the John Blumberg Softball Complex. This site will be the host venue for Softball at the 2017 Canada Summer Games where Mike is volunteering as the Materials Management Representative for the venue. This is the 50^th Anniversary of the Canada Summer Games

2016: Gary Polinuk – Riverside Aircraft Maintenance Ltd.

“Photos by Olivia Dolinsky Studio, Winnipeg, MB”

Gary has been involved with aircraft for over forty years as he grew up in the family business. He started with his private pilot license in 1978 and then received his commercial pilot license in 1981. Business was expanding and there was a need to have an AME on site, so Gary obtained his AME license in 1983. A Structures license followed in 1993.

Riverside Aircraft Maintenance was formed in February 2000 with Gary as the owner and president. A strong reputation exists due to the hard work and high standards that Gary not only expects, but models himself. In the community, Gary is a member of the Rotary Club of Selkirk, the Selkirk Biz and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Gary is very community minded and supports many organizations such as STARS Air Rescue, Selkirk Steelers, Selkirk Junior B, Kids Fishing for a Cure, The Dream Factory, Rotary Lobsterfest, and the Selkirk Curling Club. Gary also supports this symposium each year with prizes and/or monetary donations.

When Gary can get away from the hangar, you can find him in a curling rink, on a beach in the Caribbean or flying up north to the cabin with his wife Michele. Gary plans to keep working in aviation for many years ahead!

 

2015: Maurice Wills – Canadian Propeller

2014: Dennis Turney

2013	Allan Denesowych
2012	Gerald Henry
2011	George Bourgouin
2010	Marcell Bosc
2009	Roy Boyes
2008	Richard Kormaninski
2007	Brian McGill
2006	James Douglas Wall James Wall was born in Brandon, Manitoba, on March 22, 1933, and has spent his entire life in this city, graduating from high school in 1951. In 1950 Jim earned his Private Pilot’s licence in 30 days and 25 hours of flying time. In 1951 he earned an Air Cadet International Exchange trip to England, Scotland and Wales. These were early indications of Jim’s ability, determination and skill. He worked at the airport as a gasman, hangar attendant, aircraft washer and mechanic’s helper. The money went into building flying hours (at a cost of $8.00 per hour) by barnstorming with other pilots on weekends, ferrying aircraft and taking people for rides. Jim moved up the ladder of success and was soon employed as a full-time Apprentice Mechanic, earning the princely wage of 25 cents per hour. In 1954 Jim was tested for a Commercial Pilot’s licence. He scored very high on his tests and was selected as a finalist for Western Canada for the Webster Trophy. He missed by only one-tenth of a point. The Webster Trophy is awarded annually to the top amateur pilot in Canada. He obtained his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s licence in 1956. He worked full-time for Maple Leaf Aviation Limited, a Cessna dealership at the Brandon Airport. In 1971 the family purchased Maple Leaf Aviation and in 1974 it became one of only nine Cessna dealers in the World that was Awarded a 25 year continuous Service Award to the Aviation Industry. After 33 years as a Cessna dealer and with no new Cessna manufactured aircraft to sell, Maple Leaf regrouped and became a full line aircraft service centre in Western Canada. Taking advantage of advances in composite structure technology Maple Leaf entered into a program called Aircraft Speed Mods and became a Canadian manufacturer of glass Aircraft products sold all over the world. As of 2007 the design and production team holds forty-two Canadian and American Supplementary Type Certificates for the production and distribution of glass products. In 2000 Transport Canada approved Jim as a Minister’s Delegate authorizing him to approve the importation of aircraft into Canada following inspection and required maintenance. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service honoured Jim with a certificate for his 50 years of service and the quality work of Maple Leaf Aviation. In March 2006, at the annual AME symposium, the Central AME Association presented Jim with the prestigious NAASCO Outstanding AME Award, awarded annually to an AME that has shown outstanding achievement in aviation maintenance. Jim says that safety has always been his main concern, and his philosophy is “do it right the first time.”   Carrie Awn
2005	Mark Wherle
2004	Dick Laird
2003	Tony Hannon
2002	George Huntington
2001	Ben McCarty
2000	Roger Beebee
1999	Nick Dobrolowski
1998	N/A
1997	N/A
1996	N/A