From Apprentice to Aerospace Leadership 

Shawn’s journey at Harbour Air began in 1998 after he enrolled in the aircraft maintenance apprenticeship program at BCIT in 1997. Over the years, he expanded his experience beyond Harbour Air, working with other aviation operations such as Tasman Helicopters and completing contract work on private aircraft at several airports across the Lower Mainland. These opportunities allowed him to gain a wide range of technical knowledge and hands-on experience across different types of aircraft and operations. Today, Shawn serves as Vice President of Maintenance and Manufacturing at Harbour Air Aerospace, overseeing aerospace services and playing a key role in supporting Harbour Air’s operations, safety, and innovation. From apprentice to leader, his career reflects decades of dedication, curiosity, and passion for aviation.

Milestones and Memorable Moments 

A career in aviation rarely stands still, and Shawn has seen his share of exciting milestones. “There have been lots of memorable moments,” Shawn says. One of the most memorable was the first flight of Harbour Air’s electric Beaver, an achievement that marked a major step toward sustainable aviation. Other moments come from the unpredictable side of aviation. When an aircraft is grounded somewhere along the coast, the maintenance team may be called out to investigate and repair the issue. “Sometimes we’ll have an airplane broken down on a dock on an island somewhere,” Shawn explains. “We’ll go over, fix it, and fly it back.” These so-called rescue missions combine technical problem solving with a bit of coastal adventure! 

A Lifelong Passion for Aviation 

A love for aviation has been with Shawn since childhood. “I’ve been crazy about airplanes for as far back as I can remember,” he says. After high school, he earned his private pilot’s license, combining flying with his growing knowledge of aircraft maintenance. “If I’m doing the flying, I might as well know how to fix them too,” he explains. That hands-on curiosity has guided his career, blending technical expertise with a genuine love for being in the air. 

Flying Beyond the Airport 

Even outside of work, Shawn enjoys flying as much as possible. Many of his trips involve exploring the Lower Mainland with friends and landing in places that are far from typical airports. When flying on floats, he enjoys landing at beaches or coastal areas, and when flying on wheels he often looks for old roads, or other unique spots off the beaten path. Over the years he’s flown many different aircraft, including the iconic Beech Staggerwing, and he hopes to return to glider flying soon. His ten-year-old son is already showing an interest in aviation and has begun learning the basics of flying smaller aircraft. 

Behind the Scenes of Seaplane Maintenance 

For Shawn, maintaining seaplanes is a part of aviation that many people rarely see up close. “Our airplanes operate on straight floats,” he explains, “so they don’t have wheels and can’t land on a runway.” The team uses specialized equipment, including beaching gear, to move aircraft in and out of the water for maintenance. Coastal conditions like tides, docks, and weather add their own challenges. “Sometimes airplanes land on frozen lakes in the winter,” Shawn says, “and when the ice melts, they return to normal float operations.”

Advice for Future Aviators

For anyone considering a career in aviation, Shawn’s advice is simple. “Just do it,” he says. Aviation is a close knit community filled with passionate people and unique opportunities. Whether you work in flying, maintenance, dispatch, or another part of the industry, there is always something new to learn and plenty of great experiences that will give you stories to tell.