For Maria Romero Abella, a career in aviation has been shaped by a passion for helicopters, hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn through every flight. With nearly a decade of experience in aviation, Maria brings a practical, adaptable approach to her position as Rotor Wing Technician and Pilot at Volatus Aerospace’s Villeneuve, Alberta, operations.
Since joining Volatus in March 2026, Maria has been building her experience as a helicopter pilot while contributing to real-world operations where every flight serves a purpose. From navigating changing weather conditions to solving operational challenges in the field, she values the dynamic nature of her work and the opportunity to learn from colleagues across aviation, engineering, operations and technology.
Based in Villeneuve, Alberta, Maria works alongside a team of aviation professionals whose diverse experiences and technical expertise support Volatus’ flight operations including Brooke Standeven and Owen Drake.
In this edition of Voices of Volatus, Maria shares what drew her to helicopter aviation, the experiences that have shaped her career, and why she believes the most valuable professional growth comes from taking on opportunities that challenge you to learn.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
Aviation attracts many interesting people. There’s usually a good story, a different perspective, or something useful to learn from whoever you’re working with.
What is one project or accomplishment at Volatus you are especially proud of?
Building experience as a helicopter pilot while doing real operational work. Every flight has a purpose beyond simply building hours, which makes the experience more valuable.
What excites you most about the work you do?
The dynamic nature of the day-to-day job is what excites me most. There is always an element of problem-solving, whether it is adapting to changing weather, shifting operational requirements or working through unexpected challenges in the field. You have to stay flexible, think on your feet and be ready to adjust your plan when conditions change. That variety keeps the work interesting and means no two days are exactly the same. I enjoy being in an environment where you are constantly learning, making decisions and finding practical solutions as the day unfolds.
What first sparked your interest in aerospace, aviation, drones, autonomy or technology?
I have been in aviation for about 10 years in different roles and it naturally developed into flying and helicopters. I was drawn to the versatility of the helicopter and the infinite applications.
What skills or experiences have shaped your career the most?
Working in the field has shaped my career the most. Training and studying give you the foundation, but real operations teach you how to prioritize, make decisions and adapt to what is happening in front of you. You learn quickly that conditions are not always perfect, so you have to work with the resources, information and time you have available. That experience builds confidence, judgment and problem-solving skills in a way that classroom learning alone cannot. Nothing develops your skills quite like applying what you have learned in real-world situations.
How would you describe the culture at Volatus?
It’s an unusual and interesting mix of aviation and technology. You can have pilots, engineers, operations and data specialists looking at the same problem from completely different angles.
What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you?
I really enjoy being creative outside of work, whether it’s painting, drawing or doing different craft and projects. It’s a nice contrast to the technical and structured side of the job.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
Take the job that will teach you something, not just the one that looks best on paper.
Interested in pursuing a career in aviation? Explore Transport Canada’s resources on pilot training and licensing to learn more about the pathways available to aspiring pilots.
Discover more stories from across Volatus Aerospace and meet the people whose expertise, dedication and ideas are helping move our organization forward. Explore more Voices of Volatus employee profiles.
