Features
MRO
ROBERT WHITFIELD BRIGGS
Robert W. Briggs was born in Moncton, New Brunswick on March 4, 1930 and was raised and educated in rural New Brunswick. He spent his young adult life working in logging and farming before attending George Brown Technical College in Toronto in 1950.
July 8, 2008 By administrator
 |
| ROBERT WHITFIELD BRIGGS GANDER, NEWFOUNDLAND |
He started his aviation career in September 1951 when he began apprenticing at Maritime Central Airways in Charlottetown, PEI and later Moncton, NB as Aircraft Mechanic and then Flight Engineer in 1952. He spent many months working on the DEW line in Frobisher (now called Iqaluit) on Baffin Island, in Greenland and Labrador before moving to Gander in 1954 where he joined Eastern Provincial Airways. He obtained his AME’s License in April 1955 and qualified for his “B” License in 1965. He obtained his Radio Operators License in 1962 and a Private Pilot License in 1966. Also during this time he was the AME for the Gander Flying Club. Bob continued working with Eastern Provincial Airways as Flight Engineer, AME, Crew Chief, Planning Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, and lastly Director of Technical Service. His AME License endorsements included: PBY-5A, DC-3, C-46, DC-4, Dart Herald, DHC-6 and B-737. He even obtained his Stewardess Competency Certificate in 1977.
After leaving Eastern Provincial Airways in March 1979 he started his own Aircraft Maintenance Company, Briggs Aero Ltd. The Company started as a one-man operation and has grown to ten employees. Briggs Aero was granted Approved Maintenance Organization status in 1991. The Company offers a number of services, including line maintenance, general aircraft maintenance, repairs/rebuilds, aircraft sales/leasing, storage/hangarage, consulting, fuel monitoring, and off-site salvage and maintenance services.
During his long career he also instructed in the Aircraft Maintenance Program at the College of the North Atlantic (Gander) during the period 1986-1990. His wealth of knowledge was a tremendous asset to his students.
At the Atlantic Regional Aircraft Maintenance Conference in 1990 he received the Earl Blakney Aviall Canada Ltd. Award for outstanding performance in the field of Aircraft Maintenance.
Bob’s other interests and volunteer activities include:
• Director AME Association (Atlantic) and helped organize the first annual Atlantic Region Aircraft Maintenance Conference in 1979
• Director and currently President of North Atlantic Aviation Museum (Gander)
• Director Gander & Area Chamber of Commerce
• Director Gander Rod and Gun Club
• Board Member of the Aerospace & Defense Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador
At age 74 Bob is still President of Briggs Aero and is always the first person at work.
