Today we’re excited to recognize Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Day at DHC!
Fun fact: April 20 is AME Day, because on this day in 1920, Canada issued its first Air Engineer License to Robert McCombie.
While an AME’s work often happens behind the scenes, we’re bringing them front and centre this week, and will be featuring some of the amazing AMEs we have on our team at DHC. Starting with @Gabriel Costa!
Gabriel Araujo Costa, AME-M Dash 8-400 ACA
How long have you worked at DHC?
I’ve been working for DHC since August 2021, nearly five years! DHC is my first job in the industry.
Where did you receive your AME training?
I graduated from Centennial College in Toronto. I used to see some DHC8-Q400 taking off from Downsview Airport and never thought I would be working on them a few years later!
What drew you to aerospace?
I’ve always enjoyed working with mechanical systems and figuring out how things operate, so aviation naturally appealed to me because of how advanced and precise it is. My older brother is a pilot, and through him I got a closer look at the industry early on. That exposure made a big difference as it turned a general interest into something I could realistically see myself pursuing.
What does a typical shift look like for you?
No two days are ever exactly the same, which is honestly one of the best parts of the job. Most shifts involve a lot of inspections, keeping track of parts and components, and signing task cards off, but that’s just the baseline. Some days everything goes smoothly and you feel like you’re just checking boxes. On other days, you open something up and suddenly it turns into a bit of a detective job, trying to figure out what’s going on and how to fix it. Overall, it’s a good mix of routine work and problem-solving, with just enough unpredictability to keep it interesting.
What kinds of aircraft do you usually work on?
For the past three years, I’ve primarily been working on the DHC Dash 8 Q400, where I was able to earn my endorsement. That’s been my main focus, so I’m very familiar with its systems and day-to-day maintenance. Before that, during my apprenticeship, I worked on the CL-215T.
What’s a time you felt really proud of your work?
There are a few moments I could point to, but the one that really stands out is when I signed my first maintenance release. That was a big one for me. It’s the moment where everything kind of clicks, you realize the level of responsibility you’ve worked up to, and that your signature actually means something. After all the training and experience leading up to it, it felt pretty surreal, but also really rewarding. Definitely one of those moments where you step back for a second and think, “Yeah, this is why I got into this.”
What goes through your mind before signing off an aircraft as safe?
The first thing that comes to mind is making sure I haven’t missed anything obvious, like a step in the task or something that doesn’t quite look right. But in reality, it really comes down to knowing I’ve followed the correct procedures and done the job to the best of my ability. There’s definitely a strong sense of responsibility when you’re signing an aircraft off as safe. You’re aware that your work directly contributes to the safety of the aircraft and everyone who flies on it. At the same time, you’re never doing it alone. Having a solid team around you adds an important layer of support and cross-checking, which really helps maintain a high standard.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, home is where most of my time and responsibility is. I’ve got two young kids, so a big part of my day outside work is spent looking after them and doing different activities with them, keeping them busy and involved in whatever we’re up to. It’s a lot going on, but in a good way. I also spend a lot of time with my wife, and we run things together at home, whether it’s day-to-day tasks or just making sure everything is organized and on track. Although, to be fair, she’s usually the one making the final call on most things, so she’s the boss at home; I just handle implementation. We also try to keep a bit of routine and fun in the week, Friday is usually our movie night as a family, which is something we all look forward to. Overall, most of my time outside work is family-focused, and that balance is really important to me.
Team: News