Darrel Forest joined StandardAero 16 years ago and has in that time risen through the ranks.
“I’ve always loved airplanes and flying, when I got a chance to join StandardAero, I jump at it right away,” said Forest.
Forest joined StandardAero Winnipeg as a Repair and Overhaul Technician in 2003, working in the company’s Rolls-Royce T56 turboprop team. The focus of his first four years working on the T56 was in the reduction gearbox (RGB) cell, contributing to the high-quality maintenance, repair and overhaul services delivered by StandardAero to military operators of the C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orion.
Come 2007, Forest moved to StandardAero’s Winnipeg Plant 6 Facility – home to the company’s GE CF34 and CFM International CFM56 engine lines. Forest has worked in various roles as a technician supporting the CF34 and CFM56 for eight years. In 2014, Darrel was recognized through StandardAero’s prestigious "True Blue" award for being part of a four-man team to tackle a "CFM56 Fuel Leak Reduction at Test" project, improving test cell first time pass-off rates.
“Since 2015, Darrel has served as Production Manager within the CF34/CFM56 business, having been formally appointed to the role just six months after being asked to fill-in as the back-up Production Manager. The CF34/CFM56 program represents the highest value production line within the Airlines & Fleets sector, itself the largest of StandardAero’s four divisions. Working in a demanding production environment, Darrel has proved highly resourceful in meeting the needs and expectations of both internal and external customers, thanks to his strong technical knowledge and financial/business acumen,” writes Alex Youngs, director of sales and marketing business intelligence, airlines and fleets at StandardAero, on Forest’s next Gen nomination. “Darrel builds and develops team approaches to problem-solving and continuous improvement, utilizing visual performance measures to track progress to plan. Darrel motivates his team through training, information sharing and mentoring, encouraging task delegation and personal development.”
Outside of work, Forest gives back to his community volunteering for St-Pierre Jolys Frog Follies, the St-Pierre Fire department, and the before and after school program at Ecole Communautaire Réal-Bérard. Forest has also served as a hockey coach, and as a vice president on his local condo board.
Forest continues his education, as well, taking courses to be certified in management at the University of Manitoba. He currently has training in gas turbine, repair and overhaul from Red River College. The continued education is part of Forest’s ultimate planned career trajectory.
“My career goals are to continue to learn as much as I can about leadership and how to serve my team as best as possible. Continue to explore opportunities within my company to further my career growth,” described Forest. “In aviation there is many avenues you can take to have a rewarding career. There are so many amazing things happening in aviation and being part of it is a privilege. I’m grateful for what aviation has provided me in my life.”
