What is your name?
Joey Rood
What are your pronouns?
He / Him / His
Where is your hometown and where are you located now?
Kelowna is my hometown. I am located in Sioux Lookout, Ont., for my job now.
What did you take at òòò½ÎÑ? When did you graduate?
I completed the Commercial Aviation Diploma in 2019.
What got you interested in aviation?
I’ve been interested in aviation since I was a kid. When I was 13, I went on a helicopter tour. From there, I joined the Air Cadet program and earned my Glider Pilot Licence. Once I graduated from high school, I got my Private Pilot Licence at Southern Interior Flight Centre.
How did you find out about the program you took at òòò½ÎÑ?
When I was 14, I attended the Camp òòò½ÎÑ All About Aviation session. It gave me a chance to explore my interest in aviation. When it came time to decide about schooling, I already knew about the training at òòò½ÎÑ and it made sense to stay in Kelowna to continue my education.
What is your current position?
I am a Navajo captain at SkyCare, an air charter and air ambulance flight service in Sioux Lookout, Ont. The plane I fly, the Navajo, is a twin-engine piston airplane that carries eight passengers with two pilots. SkyCare has a ground to flight-line training program that moves employees through different pilot roles with the goal of eventually qualifying as a medevac captain.
How did your training at òòò½ÎÑ prepare you for what you’re doing now?
The commercial aviation program at òòò½ÎÑ has a very professional focus and prepared students to work in the airline industry. I think an aviation diploma looks good on a resume when it is time to find a job.
What was one of your most meaningful memories during your time at òòò½ÎÑ?
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