EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER April 2017 Issue # 1

Emergency Preparedness
Week May 6 12, 2017
Are you and your family prepared? Statistics Canada reports that
less than half of Canadians have a home emergency supply kit.
Although, almost three-quarters of Canadians say they are confident
about their ability to manage in an emergency. In British Columbia,
Emergency planning is more prevalent, where 53% of individuals
reside in households that have engaged in a moderately high or high
number of emergency planning activities. The most common perceived
weather-related, natural and human-induced hazards in Canada are:
winter storms
extended power outages
outbreaks of serious or life-threatening disease
industrial or transportation accidents
heat waves
contamination or shortages of water or food
floods
earthquakes
You can purchase a personal Earthquake Kit starting at
$60.00. Go to earthquakekit.biz and enter NAVCANADA10
at the checkout stage to receive your discount.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

Victoria, BC:
Jason Grist (UOS, YJ Tower) &
Jon Santos (East) receive their
20 year service award from GM
John Reid, CEO Neil Wilson and
Site Manager Darlene George.
Qualifications......................................2
New People in our FIR..................2-3,11
Whos training in our FIR.....................3
Service Awards................................4-6
Welcome to the Team..........................6
Babies..............................................8-9
PrepAir.............................................. 12
The Greening
of Styrofoam Mountain...................... 13
An Update on
the New Gym in our ACC.................. 13
Pilot Survival Shakedown.................. 16
Canadian Blood Service.................7
Girls Fly 2.......................................7
Vancouver Sun Run........................7
PNE................................................7
Golf Tournament........................... 10
Retirements.................................. 11
Helijet Golf Ball Drop.................... 14
Management Team....................... 15
Hockey Pool
to Benefit Hope Air....................... 15

| 7421 -135 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 0M8 | N AVC AN AD A. C A

Congratulations
to our New
Qualifications
Jana Jones................................East Complex
Travis Dueck..............................East Complex
Dallas Chisholm ............................. TMU West
Jonathon Livingstone..... Prince George Tower
Hayden Mecheilsen........ Boundary Bay Tower
Kristen Marasa.........................Langley Tower
Sean MacDonald..... Vancouver Harbour Tower
Sean McElroy............................Kamloops FIC
Trevor LeDrew..........................Kamloops FSS
Mike Bechtel................... Campbell River FSS
Trevor Miller.................... Campbell River FSS
James McKinstrie....................Cranbrook FSS
Alex Veniot................................... Terrace FSS
April Sjoblom.............................Nanaimo FSS
Inderjit Rai.........................Williams Lake FSS
2 April 2017 | NAV CANADA
New People in our FIR
Carlos Romero
Hello everybody, my name is Carlos
Romero and I am the new EPD hire.
I recently moved from Moncton,
New Brunswick; but I used to live in
Vancouver two years ago.
I graduated from the NBCCs (New
Brunswick Community College)
Electrical Engineering Technology
Program. I am very excited to start my
career with NAV CANADA, a company
Ive wanted to work for since being
introduced while at college.
Lisa Nowostawski
Hi! My name is Lisa Nowostawski
and Im the new Labour & Employee
Relations Manager for the Vancouver
Inderjit Rai
I am originally from Mexico City,
and I first came to Canada in 2008.
Ive moved a couple times between
the east and the west coast, spent
some time in Mexico and had a few
exciting trips. I consider myself a very
approachable person, so, if you run
into me dont hesitate to say hello, or
practice your Spanish with me. Some
of the things I enjoy are camping,
hiking, basketball, travelling, cooking
(especially Mexican food), cultural
shock, biking, soccer (I am really bad
at it) and hanging out with friends.
One of my goals for next year is to go
somewhere in South America, but so
far I have been fortunate to see the
US, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany,
Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Canada,
Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands, France
and Belgium. All in all, Im extremely
happy to work here with such great
people. I look forward to meeting you
in person.
FIR based out of the ACC. I have
my B.Comm from UBC and last
year obtained an MBA from Queens
University. Ive worked for a number of
companies in both Labour Relations
and Human Resources and prior to
starting with NavCanada I was an HR
Manager with Grand & Toy working out
of their branch office in Burnaby.
In my spare time I love to get outside
on my road bike and along with my
husband and two boys aged 7 &4 we
enjoy taking vacations in warm weather
and going camping in the summer. Im
so excited to have joined NavCan and
to be a part of the Vancouver FIR!
Im very proud and excited to join the
Williams Lake FSS and YVR FIR team.
It has been a smooth transition thanks
to my very knowledgeable OJIs Paul
Sagodi, Christopher Ford, and Neal
Matoga. I would also like to thank the
Peace River FSS crew for pouring their
knowledge and work ethic into me. I
certainly look forward to the upcoming
challenges and opportunities with NAV
CANADA.
 Whos training
before becoming the Training
Supervisor of the South Specialty at
in our FIR
the Montreal ACC. I then choose to
become an IPS in Montreal to get a IFR-OJT
better quality of life without shift work. DSC Brent Salter
YJ Terminal Mike Leslie
The reason I moved to Vancouver
VR TCU Jacinda Marks
is the Mountains. I am an avid skier
IFR-Specialty Specific
(Telemark) and Mountain biker. My VR TCU Richard Bowman
girlfriend and I took 2 months to get Jennifer Fredrikson
to Vancouver with our self-made Evan Peel
converted Sprinter Van through the US David McCahon
Francois Bergeron
and mountain bike every day. Since Steve Reid
we are here, we are going away every ACC - East Ashley Dhillon
week-end, living in the Van to ski or ACC - High Sameer Gupta
Bonjour, mountain bike. We love it around here, Curtis Johnston
so much to discover. Jason Lynch
My name is Francois Bergeron, I am
Do not hesitate to come and see me VFR-OJT
the new IPS (IFR Program Specialist)
Vancouver Tower Greg Thomson
at the Vancouver ACC. I started with in the IPS office or to chat and present
Donald Power
Transport/Nav as an FSS in 1990. I yourself in the building, I do not know
Vancouver Harbour Tower Paul Tziklas
have worked in Mont-Joli FSS, Iles-de- everybody yet. You can also have a
Abbotsford Tower Benjamin Hendrickson
la-Madeleine FSS, Kuujjuaq FSS and look at our Van either on Facebook
Aimee Rampersad
Montreal FIC (AWBS) before switching (Cedarvan) or Instagram (@Cedarvan). Boundary Bay Tower Russell Kanhai
to ATC in 2001. Merci Francois Marcelle Rutherford
I have worked in the South Specialty Victoria Tower Michael Chow
(High level) and Montreal Terminal Ryan Brantley
Kelowna Tower John Giese
Langley Tower Samuel Barrey
Pitt Meadows Tower Craig Thorpe
care: crisis management, stabilizing Prince George Tower Lucy Poirier
folks after they were diagnosed FSS-OJT
with mental illness/hospitalization, Campbell River FSS Andrew Luttrell
community reintegration, creating Castelgar FSS Robert McDonald
wellness plans and promoting positive Williams Lake FSS Robert McKay
peer relationships. My passion is Terrace FSS Julia Rimmer
supporting people in having work/life Kamloops FSS David Hay
balance; incorporating holistic wellness Charlene Price
strategies into daily life to bring more Nanaimo FSS Monique Hobson
joy and happiness to you and your FIC-OJT Joakim Adler
loved ones. A few fun facts about me: Cory Lee
youll hear very quickly about the music Erik Seifert
Tara Strachan Joakim Adler
man I have in my life. My boyfriend is
the lead singer and songwriter for the
folk rock band Echo Nebraska. Lots
I am so pleased to be the Vancouver
of my leisure time is spent watching
FIRs NAVCOH. A little about me,
live music; either watching my partner
traditionally NAVCOHs have all been
creating songs in our home studio, or
nurses, however I bring something
at local music venues throughout the
a little different to the table. My
lower mainland. I have 2 nieces and 1
background is in health promotion and
nephew that mean the world to me. Im
wellness. I hold a Bachelors Degree
a big fan of anything that makes me
in Therapeutic Recreation specializing
laugh and/or connect with people in
in mental health. I worked for many
meaningful ways. Im so grateful for the VFR1701 VR class that finished March 4, 2017
years with the Canadian Mental Health
warm welcome Ive received so far, and
Association in their BC Housing sites
I look forward to working with you all
facilitating various wellness programs
and learning more about the aviation
focusing on healthy relationship
industry and eventually learning
development, stress management and
to decode/understand the acronyms
communication skills. I spent 5 years
yall use.
working in a psychosocial rehabilitation
program called the ECHO Program. Tara
My services fell along a continuum of

FSS1701 VR class that finished March 8, 2017

Continued on page 11

April 2017 | Employee Newsletter 3

Service Awards
Paul Evans (right), Controller, Boundary
Bay Tower is congratulated on 15 years of
service by Greg Down (left), Site Manager,
Boundary Bay Tower.
Dave Feser (left), Kamloops FSS is
congratulated on 15 years of service by
Fred Gagnon, Site Manager, Kamloops
FIC/FSS.
Jim Knight (centre), Cranbrook FSS, is
congratulated on 25 years of service
by John Reid (left), General Manager,
Vancouver FIR and Paul England, Site
Manager, Cranbrook FSS.
4 April 2017 | NAV CANADA
SURREY, BC: Dennis Nault (centre),
Supervisor, Airports Specialty, is pleased to
receive his 20 year service award from John
Reid (left), General Manager, Vancouver FIR
and Greg Down (right), Manager, Airports
Specialty, Vancouver ACC
SMITHERS, BC: Robert Overgaard, FSS
Smithers (right) is congratulated on 10
years of service by Elliot Morrison (left),
Site Manager.
Port Hardy, BC: Charlene Price (right),
FSS, Port Hardy, proudly receives her 10
year service award from Pascal Larochelle
(left), Site Manager, Port Hardy FSS
KAMLOOPS, BC: Jeff Letkeman (right),
Kamloops, BC, proudly receives his 15
year service award from Fred Gagnon
(left), Manager, Kamloops FIC/FSS.
Mike Greenly (left), Controller, Victoria
Tower is congratulated on 15 years of
service by Darlene George, Site Manager,
Victoria
Scott Greenwood (right), Kamloops FSS
is congratulated on 15 years of service by
Fred Gagnon, Site Manager, Kamloops
FIC/FSS.
SURREY BC: Josh Rogers (right), ATC
Vancouver Terminal, proudly receives
his 10 year service award from Greg
Dansereau (left), MACCO.
SURREY, BC: Kyle Chura (right), Airports
Specialty, is congratulated on achieving 15
years of service by Greg Down (left), Shift
Manager
Lucky Benning (left), Shift Manager,
Vancouver ACC is congratulated on 20
years of service by Greg Dansereau (right),
MACCO.
KAMLOOPS, BC: Cory Lee (left), FSS
Kamloops, BC is happy to receive his 15
year milestone award from Fred Gagnon
(right), Manager, Kamloops FIC/FSS
VANCOUVER ACC: Paul Lutman,
right, Vancouver ACC Shift Manager, is
congratulated on 25 years of service by
Greg Dansereau, MACCO.
SURREY, BC: It was a party in Victoria
Terminal Specialty at the Vancouver ACC
as (from left to right) Aaron Barber, Kyleen
Stanton and Aidan Kyne all celebrated their
10 year service milestones. They are shown
here, with their shift manager, Tej Dhaliwal
(far right).
SURREY, BC: David Fox (right), ATC with
Air-ports Specialty proudly receives his 15
year service award from Monty Cook (left),
Shift Manager, Vancouver ACC
SURREY, BC: Ken Smiley (centre),
Supervisor, Vancouver Terminal, has
reached his 35 year service milestone
and is shown here with John Reid (left),
General Manager, Vancouver FIR and
Greg Dansereau (right), Manager, ACC
Operations
Kari Stevenson 20 years December 2016
(OTS Supervisor at the time)
April 2017 | Employee Newsletter 5
Service Awards
David McCahon 10 Years October 2016
(Vancouver Terminal Specialty Student)
Isaak Skuce 15 Years October 2016 (OTS)
Dan Rogers (right), Specialist at Penticton
FSS, receives his 30 year service
recognition award from Paul England, Site
Manager Kelowna & Penticton, Cranbrook
& Castlegar.
6 April 2017 | NAV CANADA
Lucy is a VFR trainee who just completed her basic course and is on her way to Prince
George Tower for OJT. She started as an Air Cadet and then volunteered at GF2.
Welcome to the Team
My passion for aviation and flying
started as a young girl visiting the
Abbotsford Airshow. I loved walking
through the airplanes, watching the air
demonstrations, and waiting for the day
I would wear my own set of wings over
my heart. I was a dedicated member
of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet
program for six years with the goal of
becoming a pilot. After four years of
ground school, two summers of intense
accelerated flight training and achieving
a glider and private pilot license, I still
have a love for aviation that drives me
to continue to set goals for a career in
aviation. During my years as a cadet, I
received the opportunity to attend four
summer scholarships. In addition to
flying, I studied airport operations and
aircraft maintenance which introduced
me to various career opportunities in
the aviation field. These experiences
were invaluable to me as I was able to
connect with enthusiasts from across
the country, embrace mentors and learn
from professionals trained in a wide
range of occupations. Throughout these
years I had the chance to visit a number
of towers across the country which
sparked my interest in NavCanada.
I considered air traffic controlling
as my ambition was to work in an
environment that provided a challenge
and the opportunity to continue
learning. In discerning this career path
I was able to reach out to NavCanada
employees in my community who have
introduced me to their jobs within
local towers and the Vancouver ACC.
I first started volunteering with
the Girls Fly Too (www.girslfly2.ca)
event when it came to the Langley
Airport in 2013. I had the opportunity
to coordinate the Cadet volunteers for
the event and I spent that weekend
escorting women of all ages to planes
and helicopters for their first flight in
small aircraft. As the event grew and
moved to the Abbotsford airport, it
continued to attract bigger crowds
every year. My favourite part of being
involved with Girls Fly Too is the
networking; building a strong sense
of community with the public and with
other volunteers across a wide range
of aviation and local industries. I was
able to share my story and promote
the Cadet Program with so many
women and young girls who didnt
know such opportunities existed. The
week prior to the 2016 Girls Fly Too
event, I was invited by NavCanada to
attend the entrance exam session for
the application process to become
a controller. That weekend at the
Abbotsford airport, I was able to seek
out the NavCanada display and spend
some time talking to the controllers who
had great advice and stories to share.
I was then accepted to the Employee
Referral Program and I have now just
completed the Basic Airport Course.
I am very grateful for the opportunities
I have had to learn from incredible
women and men in aviation that have
encouraged and supported my journey
this far to being a Woman in Aviation.
 THANK YOU FOR JOINING
OUR LIFE SAVING TEAM
Since 2014 our FIR has been a Partner for Life with the
Canadian Blood Services. Each year we set a goal to
contribute a certain amount of blood donations and each
year we have surpassed that goal!

Together we can
2014 we pledged 50units and contributed 66 units
help save the lives of 2015 we pledged 60 units and contributed 74 units
real people. 2016 we pledged 75 units and contributed 101 units

For 2017, our goal is 125 blood donations. Anyone in

our FIR can donate as well as friends and family. Just
remember, if you donate you must register so that your
donation count towards our goal.

TO JOIN OUR PARTNERS FOR LIFE TEAM:

Visit www.blood.ca/joinpartnersforlife
Use our ID Number to register: NAVC370673
Once registered, all of your past and future donations will
automatically count towards our goal
Friends and family are welcome to donate on behalf of
NAV Canada

You can call 1 888 2 DONATE to make an appointment at

a clinic nearest you! Just 90 minute of your time can save
a life toady.

NAV CANADA is a proud sponsor of this event held

at the Abbotsford Airport March 11, & 12, 2017.
Inspiring women of all ages to learn about aviation
this year was set up like a military operation with
all partners in wall tents. We shared our tent with
PEP Air Search and Rescue and even with the rain
The PNE Group Sales Online Ticket
we were busy! The static display was impressive
which include our own RJ and flight crew and of
Program offers savings to events
course the famous B52. The helicopters were fly- happening both onsite at the PNE, and
ing both days giving hundreds of women their first throughout Vancouver. In previous years,
www.girslfly2.ca ride in a helicopter...for free. savings for tickets to Playland, the Fair at
the PNE, Fright Nights at Playland, Disney
On Ice, Monster Jam, Harlem Globetrotters,
Cirque du Soleil, and many others were
included in the program.

How to Save on Tickets

Go to PNE.ca/goupsales
Testing their ATC Skills Select the event of your choice
Enter your Online Ticket Program
code
Follow purchase instructions
Print tickets at you own computer,
or select to have them sent to your
smartphone

Ashley Dhillon explains how the ATC console works
Dawn Troth, Jana Jones, Kari Stevenson, ONLINE TICKET PROGRAM CODE:
NASA Astronaut and veteran US Navy Diver
Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, Ariel Stevenson,
Aneesha Dhillon, Derek Wood, Ashley Dhillon
44ZZAWP97

April 2017 | Employee Newsletter 7

Babies
Ryan Brantley and his
wife welcome their
daughter Mya Georgia
June 20, 2016 weighing
5lbs 11oz.
Bryan Bourdon and his
wife welcome their son
Braxton on September
26, 2016 at 3:58 pm
weighing 7lbs 13oz.
8 April 2017 | NAV CANADA
Travis Quinn and his Henry Amaral and his
wife welcome their wife welcome daughter
son Kessler Blaine on Charlote Grace
November 20, 2016 at December 2, 2016
13:20 weighing 7lbs 5oz. at 3:45 pm weighing 7lbs.
Greg Sandhu and Aidan and his wife
Daniella Hlynka welcome their third son
welcome their daughter Scot Aidan, September
Aveline November 20, 5, 2016 at 11:30 am
2016. weighing 8lbs 7oz.
 Joshua Rogers and wife
welcome son Landon Tyler
February 12, 2016 weighing
7lbs 5oz.

James Legein and wife Brad and Ashley Mitchell Brent Salter and wife
welcome son Thomas welcome their daughter welcome son Avery
January 3, 2017 weighing Cadence Olivia Perrin Daniel August 19,
7lbs 13oz. November 29, 2016 at 2016 weighing 7lbs 13oz.
10:09 pm weighing
7lbs 7oz.

Dione Carter and Curt Fehr and wife Brian Cox and wife
husband welcome welcome daughter welcome daughter
their daughter, Kaitlyn Ruby Faith June 24, 2016 Callie Lilia February 14,
Elizabeth January 31, weighing 7lbs 10oz. 2017 weighing 7lbs 12oz.
2017 weighing 7lbs 90z.
April 2017 | Employee Newsletter 9
 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
FOR HOPE AIR

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

NORTHVIEW GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
6857 168 ST, SURREY, BC V3S 3T6

CANAL COURSE SHOTGUN START AT 1:30PM

EARLYBIRD: $175 PER PERSON

AFTER JULY 15: $185 PER PERSON
INCLUDES: GOLF, POWERCART, LUNCH,
B A N Q U E T , S WA G B A G
Register before July 15 th and be entered into the Earlybird Prize
Draw for a chance to win a ride with HeliJet to the
Golf Tournament.

HOPE AIR: Arranging free flights

for Canadians who are in financial need
and must travel to healthcare

BECOME A SPONSOR OR MAKE A DONATION vancouverfir.com

10 April 2017 | NAV CANADA
Continued from page 3
New People in our FIR
Tanja Milicevic
I graduated with a diploma in
Electronics Engineering Technology
from Red River College in Winnipeg.
After college I worked for Parker
Hannifin formerly Vansco electronics
for ten years. I started as technologist
where I gained valuable experience
in troubleshooting and preventive
maintains routine. Later I moved
to Engineering department where I
supported all technologists, created
test procedures, designed and build
test jigs, gave formal training to the
Wendy Maxwell
Wendy is thrilled to be working for
NAV CANADA. She has been a senior
administrator for her entire career (the
exact number of years she does not
Brittany Impey
Retirements
technologists and developed software
for different products.
In 2011 I started my new career as an
ATM COMM ANS-TEC at Nav Canada
at the Winnipeg Area Control Centre.
I was responsible for the maintenance
of all Communication systems (VSCS,
DVL, RTIM, CHIP, ACCUPS, BUCS,
IIDS, SLI, SIMIDS, etc). I was part of
various groups, such as CISM (CISM
peer and TechOps CISM Coordinator)
and ATM Forum. I was also mentor to
the new hires.
Recently I took ATM Manager position
in Vancouver. I am in the process of
moving with my family from Winnipeg.
I am learning about new position and
I enjoy working with a great Team.
Outside of the work I enjoy bike riding
and playing volleyball and basketball.
An important aspect of my life is family.
SURREY, BC: Mike Lavery (2nd from
One chapter of my life is closing right) is very happy to receive retirement
while another one is opening, as my congratulations from John Reid (right), GM
family and I move towards our newest Vancouver FIR and Lucky Benning (far left),
adventure in Vancouver. Shift Manager, Vancouver ACC.
Tanja Milicevic
wish to admit) in such varied industries
as internet software development,
pharmaceuticals, alcoholic beverages,
and post-secondary education. Wendy
originally hails from Ontario, and
she enjoys the fresh air and hiking
opportunities on the west coast. She
loves to travel, hike, play golf, and
do needlework. Wendy plays piano
and guitar, and is a classically trained
singer. She has appeared in numerous
musicals, operas, and operettas,
and regularly performs with an easy
listening duo, a jazz ensemble, and a
class rock band. The biggest success
in her life is her 31 year marriage to
her best friend, hiking companion,
fellow musician, and musical duo
partner Brian.
SURREY, BC: Andrew Turner (centre), TMU
West is honoured to receive congratulations
My name is Brittany Impey and I am on his retirement from John Reid (left), GM
the new Administrative Clerk. I have Vancouver FIR and Greg Dansereau (right),
a background in Oil and Gas and MACCO.
Precast Concrete including products
for bridges, stadiums, and underground Melanie CouplandVancouver Tower
utilities. I enjoy going to the beach,
Corrine MelmothPenticton FSS
spending time with friends and family
and planning trips. Chris HamlynBoundary Bay Tower
Bob CarrollCastlegar FSS
Im very excited to be part of the NAV
Canada team and I look forward to Al WallaceTMU West
working with everyone. Louis CapalboTech-ops
April 2017 | Employee Newsletter 11
 Flight Service Station
PrepAIR was created in 2015 by
Darlene George, manager of YYJ Tower
and YWH Flight Service Station, and
Simon Dennis, YYJ Tower air traffic
controller. Representing NAV CANADA,
and wanting to do something in its name
to engage the local aviation community in
a way that had never been done before,
they proudly used the support, resources
and reputation of their company to inspire
PrepAIRs creation. PrepAIR is created
as a both a brand that can continue to
forge its own path, but will always have
its foundation based and supported
upon the strength of one of the worlds
most respected air navigation services
providers.
We are motivated by the knowledge
that in aviation, every user is uniquely
connected and a part of the same
picture, often more than we realize. From
controllers, to airport authorities, to pilots,
to everyone in between, opportunities to
interact with each other and understand
the role we respectively play are limited at
best. We seek to change that. PrepAIR is
created for you, the local user and pilot,
but it is much more than just a refresher
of pilot information. It is a call to come
together, to provide you with new points
of view, to meet and communicate with
those that you normally wouldnt have
the chance to, conducted in a welcoming
12 April 2017 | NAV CANADA
atmosphere that will not only increase your
knowledge, but leave us all with a greater
sense that we are a part of broad and
inherently connected community. There
are very few industries that are separated
by such a satisfyingly minimal degree
of separation, and we capitalize on NAV
CANADAs role as a facilitator to further
this close connection. We believe in the
value of connection, of the communication
that can emerge from it, and from what we
can each learn from each other. Whether
you are a student pilot, life-long aviator,
or anyone in between, we are confident
you will fly away from a PrepAIR event
feeling indeed more prepared, and a more
inclusive part of the aviation community.
PrepAIR began with a one-day pilot
refresher seminar held at the Victoria
International Airport in the spring of 2015.
Our goal: to provide local pilots a free,
applicable, and easily accessible forum
through which to ready themselves for
the busier flying seasons. We wanted to
use the existing pilot refresher model,
but to turn it on its head, so we set out
to make PrepAIR more professional,
more interactive, and more accessible
than any refreshers that we knew of. We
wanted to create not only an event, but
a brand. Something to become known,
and something to last. Ultimately and
of utmost importance to us, we wanted
Copyright NAV CANADA
to create a new way for users in local
aviation communities to come together
and communicate, and for each to have an
equal voice.
Building on the very positive
response we received from that years
event, PrepAIR grew in 2016 with another
seminar at YYJ, presenting to a larger
audience with expanded material, a new
roundtable format, and Transport Canada
accreditation. In 2017, PrepAIR will see
further growth, with our original one-day
seminar format expanding to three new
locations throughout BC, and the creation
of a new roundtable discussion series
called OpenAIR. As always, every PrepAIR
event will be free of charge, include a
variety of topics pertinent to all experience
levels, a diverse presenter group, and
more discussion, participation and
inclusion from you than ever before.
Please take the time to explore
our website (www.prepair.ca), learn all
about our upcoming seminar events and
inaugural roundtable discussion, and
discover how you can realize your part in
your local aviation conversation. A more
connected aviation community is a more
educated community, a more prepared
community, and ultimately a safer one.
Thats PrepAIR.
The Greening of Styrofoam
Mountain (and other recycling initiatives)
By Sandy Fox
A month worth of Foam ready to go.
A few months ago one of our staff
members came to us with a suggestion
for a new waste reduction initiative for
the ACC. He had done the research
and come up with the information on a
place in New Westminster that accepts
Styrofoam and processes it into plastic
destined for consumer products.
We did some research and found it
was quite difficult to assess the amount
of Styrofoam we produce as it depends
on which projects facilities, tech ops,
IM and engineering are tasked with at
the time. As anyone who has purchased
any consumer electronics knows, the
packaging included in this type of
product does build into a mountain in
very short order. In the absence of any
predictable accumulation of foam it
makes little economic sense to rent
a dumpster and have it emptied on
a regular schedule, so for now we
have decided to take our own when
warranted. We have so far taken two
panel van loads to the Foam Only
location in New Westminster. This is
foam that was accumulated from the
holiday season and the first two months
of this year. Foam that otherwise would
have been taken to the landfill. We
have applied for a sustainability grant
as storage space is in high demand
and we hope to have a designated
area to keep our accumulations
under control in the near future.
Where we could use
your help:
-P
 lease make sure foam
is CLEAN-wash out
food, remove tape and
cardboard
-Please separate into
Styrofoam and plastic
foam. Basically
Styrofoam will break
into pieces whereas
the plastic foam can be
bent and squished but is
difficult to rip or break.
Free Geek update-all the
construction has forced many of the
groups in the building to clean out
random storage areas and together
with generous contributions by our staff
members we created 7 pallets of goods
to send off to Free Geek Vancouver.
Volunteers than need a sense of
purpose; community supporting;
all three Rs of sustainability, this
program checks all the boxes and it
really is a great way to give where we
live. Thanks for all your contributions.
An Update on
the New Gym in
our ACC
By Matt Strolz
The new gym space is well underway
adjacent to the controller lounge and
entertainment room. If you have a chance,
stop by and check it out. The first thing
you will notice is the floor space has nearly
doubled as well as a significant increase
to the ceiling height as compared to our
current space. Theres also an entire
wall of windows which should ensure the
space is enjoyable year round. One of
the other unique features will be the room
will have its own separate heating and
cooling system which should allow for
better control over the temperature when
exercising.
The Gym Committee, comprised of Steve
Kobayashi, Ken Boganes, Don Boyd,
Jon Santos, Joel Bowman, Dawn Whyte,
Ming Chau, Louis Lang, Sean Langer,
Robert Van Poederooyn, Brent Dowding,
and Matt Strolz, have met a number of
times to ensure the space is what we
need considering how it is generally used.
The input from all members has been
very helpful and a number of good ideas
have been incorporated. Once the space
is completed we will move our current
equipment in and begin looking to the
future as to which items need replacement
and what equipment should be acquired.
Thanks to Jake Peso and his team for
working with us and crafting the space.
New Gym
April 2017 | Employee Newsletter 13
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 VANCOUVER FIR
Management Team
GMFIR John Reid
Executive Assistant Christina Schmidt
MACCO & Terminal Greg Dansereau
Shift Managers Reg Jones (MDA)
TMU Matt Strolz
East, PBN SM James Marasa
Victoria Terminal Tej Dhaliwal
Airports Monty Cook
High & On the Job Training Lucky Benning
ACC Operational Procedures and Proficiency Paul Lutman
MATCOR, ATOS, Campbell River & Port Hardy FSS Pascall Larochelle
MOT Blair Lewis
Manager of Engineering Doug Ramsden
MSO & MBS Luanne Boszak
Manager FIR Planning & Support Analyst Dawn Toth
Manager Labour and Employee Relations Lisa Nowostawski
Human Resources Advisor Sat Grewal
MTO Chris Orosz
ATM Manager Tanja Milicevic
CNS Manager Kevin Gooden
CRS Manager - Vancouver Tower Aldo Stefanon
Manager Facilities Maintenance Jake Peso

Site Managers
OCT 2017 TBD Darren Tonge (MDA)
Vancouver Tower & Nanaimo FSS Brent Bell
Langley, Abbotsford & Pitt Meadows Towers John Dicknoether
Boundary Bay & Vancouver Harbour Towers Greg Down
Smithers & Terrace FSS Kari Stevenson (MDA)
Airport Ops Operational Procedures, Proficiency and Schedul-
Elliott Morrison
ing Support
Prince George Tower & Williams Lake FSS Kelly Smith (MDA)
Kamloops FIC & FSS Fred Gagnon
Kelowna Tower, Cranbrook, Castlegar & Pentiction FSS Paul England
Victoria Tower & Victoria Harbour FSS Darlene George

Copyright NAV CANADA

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Questions or comments:
tothd@navcanada.ca | bonken@navcanaca.ca
TO BENEFIT HOPE AIR:
$20.00 Entry fee
DEADLINE TO REGISTER - APRIL 12TH AT 1:00PM
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NAVCANADA.CA If you have any questions or need help with the link please contact Henry
Amaral or Doug Cook who will be monitoring the hockey pool. You can pay
7421 135 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 0M8 by email transfer to vansocial@navcanada.ca or with cash or cheque to
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Vancouver FIR @VanFIRsocial * Registration money will be divided up between winners based
on a percentage as well as Vancouver Canucks tickets (2) for the
2017/2018 season to the 1st place winner.
Pilot Survival Shakedown
In October 2016 the BC General Aviation
Association with the help of the local
volunteer Search and Rescue Team, led 20
of its pilot members into the woods near
the peak of Sumas Mountain in between
Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
The goal of the exercise was to survive for
24 hours using nothing but the contents of
their aircraft survival kits. Many pilots have
never even opened their aircraft survival kit
let alone practiced using the contents. The
idea of this exercise was not to be extreme
survivalists or to simulate the psychological
stress that isolation causes. The goal of this
exercise was to give pilots that may or not
be outdoorsy an opportunity to get some
hands on experience with the contents of
their aircraft survival kits and to give them
an opportunity to see what worked for them
and what didnt. What items they didnt really
need and what items they wish they had.
The exercise staff made hourly rounds of the would be changing some of the contents of
participants to check on their well being and their survival kits based on the experience of
to give pointers on their shelters, fires etc. All actually having to use their kits.
in all the participants did very well, they spent
The event in October was such a hit that it
a cold night outside in a shelter that they built
will be repeated in Kelowna in April, 2017
and maintained a fire throughout the night to
and we look forward to reporting back on the
stay warm.
highlights of that exercise.
In the morning the cold and weary group
One thing is for certain, emergency
made rounds of all the sites where each
preparation takes time and practice. We can
participant presented their shelter and their
theorize and hypothesize all we want but until
camp explaining what they learned and what
we actually take the time to practice our skills
they might do differently. The response from
with the equipment that we have there is no
this exercise was overwhelmingly positive.
knowing if we are truly prepared.
Many of the pilots expressed that they
felt more prepared to care for themselves For more information on the BC General
and their passengers in the event of a Aviation Association visit: www.bcaviation.ca
forced landing in the wilderness and many
expressed that they felt that had they not
actually tried to use their kits in a controlled
environment that they would not have been
as successful if faced with the real thing. info@bcaviation.ca
Several participants explained that they www.bcaviation.ca
NAVCANADA.CA