I attended the inaugural Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna, British Columbia, in early October, not fully knowing what value it would bring for my time and money as an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) and aviation consultant. I decided to go because I saw a real need in the maintenance community.
My interest was piqued as I listened to various Vertical MRO podcasts with Leslie Ferry and others explaining the details ahead of the event. Thinking back on the many conferences I’ve attended over the years, I realized there had never been a maintenance-focused helicopter conference. That in itself was exciting — especially considering the demographic and geographic diversity among maintainers. The knowledge and experience under one roof would be phenomenal.
Every presentation — and there were many — was delivered by professionals in their respective fields. This was not a “check-the-box” lineup. The content was meaningful, well-received, and supported by engaging Q&A sessions after each talk. Many of the sessions were eligible for Transport Canada and/or FAA IA maintenance recurrency credit, all conveniently offered in one place. From what I witnessed firsthand, there was a true atmosphere of maximum engagement throughout the event.
I listened to Emily Kutryk of Elevate Aviation, who co-presented with Krishna Mann. Beyond Emily’s impressive certifications, the fact that she is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran added real-world credibility to her presentation. Her insights came from genuine experience, not just theory.
Listening to Dave Dueck of Dueck Aviation is always both enlightening and entertaining. His presentation on Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and how it relates to safety management systems was particularly helpful and strategic.
“Hot topic” conversations with OEMs and exhibitors were ongoing and accessible without the need to schedule B2B meetings weeks in advance. The organic networking opportunities were superb.
Directors of maintenance (DOMs), apprentices, aviation insurance brokers, and everyone in between enjoyed a true level playing field. Everyone was encouraged to share their opinions or ask questions across all topics.
While there were many valuable technical sessions, it was clear that the human and peripheral topics — the ones that affect how and when we perform maintenance — were equally important.
Keynote speaker Clint Pulver’s leadership presentation was a highlight for many attendees. As of this writing, I know of at least one operator who purchased his book I Love It Here and the accompanying workbook, with plans to implement Clint’s leadership principles across their organization.
Shipping and cross-border issues affect everyone these days, and several procurement specialists from larger organizations provided real-time advice on how to ship and receive more effectively.
The DOMs, AMEs, and apprentices who attended didn’t have spare time to be there — they made time. They came to learn and challenge themselves to become better maintainers, with that typical maintainer mindset: always looking for the loose thread that tends to unravel things. I believe they learned not only from the presenters, but also from each other. They found transparency, full disclosure, encouragement, and appreciation — all directed toward their benefit.
The fraternity of maintenance brothers and sisters is alive and well. The Vertical MRO Conference was crucial to reinforcing that truth because it thrives through their continued involvement.
If you didn’t get the chance to attend the Kelowna event, there’s still time to register for the second Vertical MRO Conference in Irving, Texas, being held Nov. 10-12 at the Irving Convention Center. Visit verticalmro.com for more details.
With over 45 years of experience as an aircraft maintenance engineer, Terrence D. Eissfeldt holds a current Transport Canada license with M1 and M2 certification. His previous positions include director of maintenance, quality assurance manager, chief executive officer, and accountable executive.
