As most of you know by now, I have accepted the position of Winnipeg FIR Chief. I’ve been a member of this FIR since November 2021. I never thought that in less than two and a half years, I’d be given the opportunity to take the reins and hold a leadership role in this amazing community.
I like to think that I’ve done quite a bit for the community so far. Once I got my C1 rating, I was quickly given the chance to mentor students and subsequently awarded my I1 a few months later. Training has always been a huge motivator for me, which is partly why I had no problem saying yes when Nate asked me to take over the Winnipeg365 lead position. One of the best compliments I’ve received was from a student who told me that this FIR is the reason they’d like to pursue a career in ATC. The reason that I sit here today, reading policy and auditing records, is not for my own enjoyment (I do enough of that at my real job!), but instead to keep this FIR operating smoothly and continue instilling that passion for aviation.
So, what can you expect from me? Well, first and foremost, you can expect this FIR remain a safe place to enjoy this hobby. The training team and staff are here to foster a safe and fun learning environment where controllers, both current and aspiring, can develop their skills while having a good time. If you have any issues, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. My door is always open for questions, comments, and concerns. Please do not forget that.
I continue to see the Winnipeg FIR as a hub for training. That being said, while Winnipeg365 is currently in a lull while we slowly continue to develop the Terminal courses, you can expect to see more announcements and courseware in the next few months. I can confidently speak on behalf of the training team when I say that we have seen a noticeable decrease in start-to-solo times for students who have completed Winnipeg365 courses. Our fantastic Chief Instructor, Kathryn, and Assistant Chief Instructor, Ethan, have done and continue to do great work in making sure our students receive great training.
On that note, I would like to thank the staff members for their dedication to the FIR and for not immediately tendering their resignation when I announced that I would be taking the FIR Chief role. A huge thank you to Tavis, Kathryn, Adam, Ryan, Kolby, and Ethan. I’d also like to thank VATCAN1, Mark Walsh, for trusting me in this position and giving me this opportunity.
I look forward to what the next few years have in store for us.
