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At our first competition in 2018, we reached out to five female aircraft maintenance engineers from across Canada, inviting them to enter the largest International skills competition in the world, the MRO Americas AMC Competition. At that time, there were only three all-women teams at the event.
In a field where women are significantly underrepresented—only 3% of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) are women, Elevate Aviation supports an all-woman team for the AME competitions each year to empower women. By showcasing the skills and capabilities of female AMEs on a national stage, we aim to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and inspire the next generation of women to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. This initiative not only highlights the importance of diversity in the industry but also reinforces our commitment to creating equal opportunities for women in all aspects of aviation
Elevate Aviation’s team members will compete in the following aircraft maintenance competitions:
Where: Toronto, Ontario
When: October 2-3, 2024
Team Size: 3 Members
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
When: April 8-10, 2025
Team Size: 5 Members
2018 – Aerospace Maintenance Competition (MRO America)
2021 – Ontario AME Association Skills Competition
2022 – Aerospace Maintenance Competition (MRO America)
2023 – Central AME Association Skills Competition
2023 – Aerospace Maintenance Competition (MRO America)
2023 – Ontario AME Association Skills Competition
2023 – Girls in Aviation Day Alberta Mini-Skills Competition
2024 – Aerospace Maintenance Competition (MRO America)
2024 – Alberta Aviation Conference Skills Competition
1st Place – 2021 Ontario Skills Competition
3rd Place – 2021 Ontario Skills Competition
Top Student Score – 2021 Ontario Skills Competition
Charles Taylor Professionalism Award – 2022 Aerospace Maintenance Competition
1st Place – 2023 Central AME Association Skills Competition
3rd Place General Aviation – 2023 Aerospace Maintenance Competition
Top Student Score – 2023 Ontario Skills Competition
2nd Place – 2024 Alberta Aviation Council Skills Competition
Breanne is currently a licensed M2 AME working for Aurora Jet Partners, working on a variety of business jets. The thing she loves the most about her position is the fact that she gets to do a little bit of everything from routine and non routine maintenance tasks, as well as avionics, structures and even interiors. She took first year automotive mechanic in school, and she loved the hands on part of it, but didn’t enjoy working on cars, so with a fascination with aircraft from a young age, Breanne figured there would be no better transition than to get into maintaining aircraft, and it was the best decision she ever made.
Delaini has been in aviation since 2018, completing her apprenticeship for her M1 license and ACA certification on Twin Otters at Rocky Mountain Aircraft in Calgary. Currently, she works at Air Tindi on their Dash 7 fleet and aiming to earn her M2 license within the next year.
Cpl Cassidy Busey-Bowser is an Aviation Systems Technician (AVN) with the Royal Canadian Air Force. She began her aviation career in 2019 as an Aircraft Structures Technician (ACS) and spent her time as an ACS at 436(T) Squadron on the Lockheed-Martin CC-130J Hercules in Trenton. Being more drawn to the mechanical side, with a particular interest in engines, she decided AVN was better suited for her and changed trades in 2021 and was posted back to CFB Trenton on the CC-130J. Since then, she has completed her type course and continued to grow her skills on the CC-130J, and in the Aviation industry.
Corporal Katrina Slusar joined the Canadian Armed Forces in December 2020, completing her Aircraft Technician Common Core Training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering in Borden, ON before being posted to CFB Shearwater, NS, where she gained firsthand experience working on the CH-148 Cyclone at 406 Squadron. Upon completing her Aviation Systems Technician Course at CFB Borden, she was transferred back to Shearwater, but this time at 12 Air Maintenance Squadron (AMS), in May 2022. In 2024, Cpl Slusar volunteered to take her skills to Canada’s West Coast at 443 (MH) Squadron located at Patricia Bay, British Columbia.
Jennifer joined Air Spray in 2015 and currently serves as the Commander Supervisor. Originally from British Columbia, she now reside in Elnora, a small town near Red Deer, Alberta. Her journey into the aviation industry began with loading planes with fire retardant, which led to an opportunity with Air Spray. She honed my skills at Red River College in Portage la Prairie, where she completed the Aircraft Maintenance program.
Dina is responsible for managing Elevate Aviation’s Community Engagement, including overseeing the Aircraft Maintenance Competitions Team each year.
Dina has been an Air Traffic Controller for over 25 years and loves every minute of it. She is a passionate advocate for aviation education and outreach, devoting much of her time to engaging in the aviation community. Dina also serves as President of Alberta Air Tours, a non-profit organization that aims to inform and educate communities across the province and to inspire a new generation of aviation enthusiasts. Though born in Edmonton, her family moved to Kikino Métis settlement where she spent her youth. Through her role at Elevate Aviation, Dina continues to work with communities to introduce careers in aviation. From airshows to educational workshops, to mentoring others entering a career in aviation, she ensures the continued growth of a thriving aviation community.
Cassandra is responsible for organizing, leading, and attending the Aircraft Maintenance Competitions for Elevate Aviation and, as an AME herself, competes on the team events as needed.
Cassandra Hepp is an M1/M2 aircraft maintenance engineer, receiving an aircraft maintenance diploma from SAIT in Calgary in 2016. During her time at SAIT, she was Founder and President of the Aviation Student Association, won the SAITSA Gold Award, and won the Deans Choice Award in 2016. After graduating, she headed north to pursue her apprenticeship in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, where she fell in love with the north. She moved to Yellowknife in 2018 and obtained her M1&M2 AME licenses in March 2019. Cassandra spent 6 years working in the Canadian Arctic, seeing and experiencing parts of northern Canada that only a handful of people have the opportunity to see. She is currently a Lead Aircraft Maintenance Engineer working for Heavy Aero in Edmonton, AB. Cassandra is very passionate about diversity and inclusion in the aircraft maintenance work environment, and her goal is to influence the workplace culture on the hangar floor so everyone feels welcome and included.
Applications to the Elevate Aviation 2024/25 Aircraft Maintenance Competitions Team closed on August 6, 2024. Please check back in 2025 to apply for next year’s team!