Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are the backbone of Volatus Aerospace, working behind the scenes to ensure every aircraft is safe, reliable and ready for its next mission. Their technical expertise, attention to detail and commitment to safety are essential to keeping our operations moving.
In this edition of Voices of Volatus, we introduce Owen Drake, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer based in Villeneuve, Alberta. Owen joined Volatus as a summer student in 2023 while studying at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. After completing his entire apprenticeship with the company, he joined the team full-time in May 2024, and on July 25, 2026, officially became a fully licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Described by his manager as one of the youngest licensed AMEs he has had the pleasure of working with, Owen has already distinguished himself through his technical ability, exceptional work ethic and positive attitude. In this Q&A, Owen shares more about his path into aviation, his experience completing his apprenticeship with Volatus and what it means to reach this important career milestone.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
The positive energy, and all-around friendliness.
What is one project or accomplishment at Volatus you are especially proud of?
I take great pride in all my work, however, it’s the big projects such as my participation in the 2200hr inspections on the Robinson R44s during my apprenticeship on both C-FIJI and C-FRWI where I really feel that sense of accomplishment shine through.
What excites you most about the work you do?
Whenever there’s something wrong and I get to solve that problem whether it be general troubleshooting or just a small doubler on the sheet metal there’s few things I enjoy more than that feeling when I figured out the problem and ensure the machine is safe to go back out.
What first sparked your interest in aerospace, aviation, drones, autonomy or technology?
I’ve always had an interest in working with my hands and all things that fly since I was a kid playing with Lego and Star Wars. When I was 14 years old, I joined Air Cadets and got to learn about aircraft maintenance through a school project. All these experiences have led me down the path I’ve taken so far.
What skills or experiences have shaped your career the most?
My attention to detail and ability to follow instructions meticulously have contributed greatly to my success. The air cadet program also helped me develop valuable experience and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to reassess a situation when something is not working as planned.
How would you describe the culture at Volatus?
Welcoming – nobody feels like a stranger out here at the Alberta location and based on the interactions I’ve had with the other parts of our company, I think that statement extends globally.
What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an open book however the thing that surprises people the most when they meet me is my age – I’m only 21.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
“The sign of a great engineer isn’t making no mistakes but knowing how to fix your own mistakes.” This was advice from our floor lead Eric Laarhuis and something that has always stuck with me.
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.
One Response
We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Owen at his work place upon our last visit to Edmontonthis past July of 2026. Myself my husband ( who are Owen’s second cousins from Regina Sask) along with Owen’s grandparents were given a tour of the shop & hangar where Owen spends his days at work. We were amazed and very impressed with all of the work colleagues we met & the entire operation. Owen has truly the job of his dreams. And we can tell he takes it very seriously. We could not help but feel the positive vibe from the entire place. We had the opportunity to watch a helicopter land just outside the building then watch how they brought it into the building. It was amazing to be up that close. Definitely an experience to remember.
His grandparents Roseanna & Dennis Loughlin who drove us out, are extremely proud of Owen and all of his accomplishments. Thanks to Volatus Aerospace for this incredible opportunity to visit your business site. It was most interesting and inspiring.