From Jason Connolly Vice-President, DHC Qualified Refurbishment Program
I am pleased to announce the following updates:
Ian Carter, Director of Maintenance
Joining De Havilland Canada on November 18, 2024, Ian Carter will serve as Director of Maintenance, leading the Calgary MRO. Ian is a seasoned aerospace professional with over 30 years of experience across aircraft maintenance, repairs, modifications, avionics upgrades, service life extension, and program management. His expertise and proven track record in managing complex projects make him a strong asset to our team.
In his previous roles, Ian served as Heavy Maintenance and Program Manager for leading Canadian aerospace companies, supporting both civilian and military sectors. Most recently, he managed a turnkey maintenance support contract for a Maritime Patrol Surveillance Platform for the UAE Airforce. Throughout his career, Ian has achieved notable successes, including reducing aircraft ground time, optimizing production schedules, and mentoring teams for long-term growth.
Ian’s technical foundation was established in the Royal Naval Aircraft Training Program, specializing in rotary-wing heavy maintenance. He has further enhanced his expertise with certifications in aeronautical engineering, project management, and lean processes, and he brings strategic thinking and strong communication skills to his leadership approach.
Please join me in welcoming Ian to De Havilland Canada.
Shahan Helvadjian, General Manager, Mid Canada Mod Center (MC2) and Avionics Design Services (ADS)
Effective October 1, 2024, Shahan Helvadjian has assumed the role of General Manager of MC2 and ADS. With 29 years of experience in the aerospace industry, Shahan began his career at Bombardier in roles spanning Avionics Engineering, Customer Services and Support for the C Series (A220), In-Service Engineering and Technical Support for the Q Series, and Operations Director roles. He later served as Technical Performance Director at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).
Since joining DHC in January 2024 as Chief of Avionics, Electrical, and Wiring, Shahan has led a core engineering team in the disciplines of Avionics Design, Electrical and Wiring Design, and Avionics Installations. His work has contributed significantly to the certification of these systems. In his new role, Shahan will oversee all aspects of MC2 and ADS operations, from strategic planning to daily management, to maintain our leadership in technological innovation and operational efficiency.
Fintan Farrell, Director of Mobile Repair Team (MRT)
Fintan Farrell will continue in his current role as Director of MRT. Fintan has led the De Havilland Canada MRT, providing maintenance and repair support solutions to our customers worldwide since the acquisition of the Q Series aircraft program and assets from Bombardier in 2019.
With 27 years of international experience and having worked on six continents, Fintan is well suited to continue to lead our MRT. Throughout his career, he has completed a wide range of field repairs, maintenance, inspections and modifications across numerous aircraft types, including the Dash 8 100-400 series, CRJ, and Canadair series of aircrafts. MRT specializes in all aspects of De Havilland Canada aircraft repairs, including aircraft recovery from remote locations to performing large or small repairs at operator facilities or certified repair centres worldwide.
Team: News
