49th Degree Aviation

2024 Year in Review – 49th Degree Aviation I can’t help but reflect on how proud I am of my team and how far we’ve come. Twelve months ago, this program was just a list of goals and ideas. Today, thanks to the dedication of my incredible co-directors—and the contributions of our amazing mentors and mentees—we’ve turned those ideas into reality. Here’s what we’ve accomplished this year: ✅ 35 mentor-mentee matches made ✅ 80 members (mentors and mentees) in our network ✅ 3 company partnerships formed (with more to announce in the new year!) ✅ Exhibited at the Abbotsford Airshow ✅ Hosted 4 online webinars featuring: • Airline Chief Pilots • A Snowbird pilot • Two sessions with Nav Canada (And more webinars are on the horizon!) 49th Degree Aviation is a free, fully volunteer-run program designed to help new professionals navigate the challenging world of aviation. We’re always looking to expand our community of mentors and mentees. If you’re interested in joining, we’d love to have you on board—sign up at www.fly49.com. To my team, our mentors, mentees, and everyone who has supported us, thank you for making this vision a reality. Here’s to continuing to grow and support the next generation of aviation professionals in the year ahead! #aviation #mentorship #yearinreview #volunteering #fly49 Travis W. Samantha Porter

Meet Reigan MacEachern, a licensed Structures AME who is a young leader in her field with a passion to mentor young women coming into the industry. Hi my name is Reigan. Currently I’m an Aircraft Structures Engineer at HeavyAero Maintenance Centre Inc., where I lead the structures department. While my primary focus is on Boeing 737s, I have also had the pleasure of working on Saab 340s and Q400s. Being part of the aviation industry and contributing to safer skies is an incredible honour. The women in aviation community is particularly inspiring, offering a wealth of support and opportunities for growth. Though my journey in aviation has not been long, it has been immensely rewarding. I've had the privilege of working with exceptional leaders who have prepared me for my current role. It is a great honour to be recognized as a female lead in an industry where such representation is still rare. I look forward to mentoring and supporting other young women as they embark on their own careers in aviation. #maintenance #femaleAME #aviation #womeninaviation #WCW #womeninmaintenance #womeninspiringwomen #womeninaviation #aircraftmaintenance #aircraftmaintenanceengineer #womensupportingwomen #hangarqueens #aviationindustry #mentorship #structures

The decision making skills I learned as a fighter pilot have proven valuable beyond the cockpit. Here's a few things I learned: 1. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱: Taking the time to understand the situation is more important than making quick decisions in high-pressure scenarios. This principle is crucial for making well-informed and effective choices. Slower is faster. 2. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Each flight involves weighing risks against potential rewards. Similarly, understanding this balance in business and daily life can lead to smarter, more strategic decisions. 3. 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Adaptability is critical in the cockpit. This ability to adjust quickly is just as important in everyday life, enabling efficient handling of unexpected changes and obstacles. These principles have guided me through various challenges and successes, both in the air and now as an entrepreneur. What's your go-to decision-making framework? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 📸: Which photo do you prefer? Are you team visor or team braid? ------------------------ Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm a former fighter pilot turned speaker, author, and coach. If you found this helpful, consider reposting ♻️ and follow me for more content like this.