Advanced Skills
Our team includes seasoned aviation industry experts, business professionals, engineers, and capacity development students looking to broaden their skillsets.
Tim Stinson - General Manager
Tim Stinson, a seasoned professional deeply connected to the Forest Industry, earned his Renewable Resources Diploma from BCIT in 1989. His early career with the Ministry of Forests in BC ignited a passion for aviation, leading him to obtain Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing Bird Dog officer ratings. Joining Canadian Forest Products in 1995, he focused on Forest Development Planning and gained expertise in helicopter operations. In 2000, Tim became the Safety and Logistics Manager at Canadian Air-Crane, contributing to groundbreaking logging operations and accumulating over 70,000 flight hours. Promoted to Global Business Operations Manager in 2009, he expanded Erickson Air-Crane’s global footprint in Peru and Ecuador.
Throughout his career, Tim prioritized safety, playing a pivotal role in developing safety management systems and implementing innovations for Canadian Air-Crane. Since 2018, he has directed his attention to drone technology, actively engaging with the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada and serving as the Treasurer for the AEAC UAS Student Competition, contributing to the growth and advancement of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)
Cole Stinson - OPerations Manager
Joining the drone arena in 2018, Cole has rapidly become a valued member of our team and recently ascended to the role of Operations Manager, bringing a blend of expertise and professionalism to our operational landscape. With six years of experience navigating the complexities of the drone and forestry industry, Cole has accumulated an impressive 300 flight hours, demonstrating a proficiency in seamlessly transitioning from municipal surveys to emergency response missions.
Beyond the professional sphere, Cole’s weekends serve as a sanctuary for exploration, balancing a passion for mountain biking and the outdoors. Despite being relatively new to the Operations Manager role, Cole’s impact is already discernible in the strategic management of our operations, creating a workplace that seamlessly blends professionalism with a touch of adventure.
Jowett Wong - Chief Pilot
Jowett was introduced to drones in 2017 as an Emergency Program Specialist for the City of Victoria’s Fire Department. Responding to structure fires and various municipal public events, Jowett learned to fly drones in complex, high stress environments. Jowett also works for GlobalMedic – an international disaster response agency that responds to disasters across the world. GlobalMedic’s innovative RescUAV program uses drones to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to relevant agencies and foreign governments in times of disaster. Jowett has responded to numerous international disasters including wars, earthquakes and severe weather events.
As a GlobalMedic Rapid Response Team Leader, Jowett has led multiple RescUAV missions, disaster responses and humanitarian aid programs. Jowett is a highly trained urban search and rescue advanced structural collapse specialist having trained in Washington, Vancouver and Texas. He also works with a highly trained disaster live find K9 training to respond to structural collapses. Jowett and K9 May are members of the BC based Search and Recovery Dog Association of Victoria.
Rhys Abel - Business & Systems Development Manager
Rhys started flying drones as a hobby in 2017. Rhys graduated from the Business Entrepreneurship Diploma Program at British Columbia Institute of Technology while looking for ways to apply drone technology to ongoing problems. Today, Rhys combines his passion in drone technology and business skills to design new business systems and solutions. Rhys holds an Advanced Drone License and Flight Reviewer rating and has amassed over 200 flight hours in operating RPAS in complex environments such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), controlled airspace, nighttime operations, challenging weather, high altitudes, and more.
Rhys is also skilled in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and creates georeferenced maps and deliverables. In his free time, Rhys enjoys exploring the backroads of Vancouver Island and Rhys just completed a camping trip where he drove to Mexico and back.
Rhys is also the office Foosball Wizard.
Lynne Rozenboom MA. CPC - Human Resources
In her capacity as executive coach (ETC Now Coaching), thinking partner and facilitator, Lynne has worked alongside Tim (and now the rest of the team) since the inception of Stinson Aerial Services.
Lynne’s credentials include an MA in Leadership and Training (Organizational Development), Certified Professional Coach (Executive, Group), Diploma Business Management, and Non-profit Management. Additionally, Lynne brings over 30 years of non-profit leadership, working with grassroots, provincial and national organizations.
Lynne currently supports Stinson Aerial Services in 4 key areas:
- Leadership Thinking Partner
- Executive Coach
- Facilitator
- Human Resources
Building strong and resilient individuals, organizations and communities begins and ends with each of us: by stepping into our own leadership in all we do, we can create the change we wish to see in ourselves, and our world.
Darlene "Dee" Stanton - GIS Manager and Flight Coordinator
Dee is a skilled GIS professional and Flight Coordinator at Stinson Aerial Services, where she utilizes her geomatics expertise to deliver data-driven solutions alongside a team of creative, talented pilots. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Dalhousie University, with advanced diplomas in Marine Geomatics from NSCC’s Centre of Geographic Sciences and GIS Applications from Vancouver Island University. Her career spans from laboratory sciences in Nova Scotia to survey technology in Alberta, and now to drones and GIS on Vancouver Island, where the natural beauty of the region fuels her passion for environmental data. Dee brings strong planning, organization, and problem-solving skills to her role, viewing drone technology as an essential tool for gaining new perspectives and enhancing our understanding of the environment.
Working alongside a talented team of creative pilots, Dee views her role as an opportunity to learn, solve complex challenges, and leverage new technologies. She thrives in a collaborative environment, appreciating the team’s dedication to continuous learning and innovation.
Scott Cursley - AIRS™ Lead Flight Instructor
Scott is a retired Air Force Navigator with over 31 years of dedicated service. With extensive experience at the Department of National Defence, including his role at 19 Wing Operations Center and as a Squadron Operations Officer in Ontario, Scott brings a rich background in both operational and instructional domains, specializing in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and aviation-related education.
Currently, he serves as the lead flight instructor for Stinson Aerial Services, where he delivers Transport Canada RPAS ground school training to First Nations communities and Industry clients across British Columbia. In addition, Scott contributes his expertise to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) by developing Training Plans for the Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) project.
A graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) with a Diploma in Electronics Engineering, specializing in Industrial Electronics Technology, Scott combines his technical proficiency with a steadfast commitment to promoting safe and effective drone operations
Industry leading RPAS Experts Our Affiliated Pilots
Our affiliated pilots are recognized as Advanced Flight Reviewers from Transport Canada Advanced Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPAs) certification. Their flight experience includes over 7,000 flights in forestry, mining, utilities and environmental monitoring & mapping with a mission to improve safety with every flight. They have completed over 5,000 hectares of low elevation forestry surveys and multiple days of wildfire hot spot scanning.
Capacity Development RPAS Pilots
Jared Rahman
UBC, 3rd Year Mechanical Engineering. Advanced Pilot.
Currently employed with our aviation company in the role of Drone Pilot / cixwatin Aircraft Systems Engineering Coordinator in Payload Operations Development.
Kimberly Mike - Advanced Pilot, Stinson Aerial Services
Kimberly Mike, an Advanced Pilot with Stinson Aerial Services since 2023, hails from the Lower Nicola Indian Band in unceded Scw̓̓éxmx territory (Merritt, BC). Her aviation journey began in 2022 as a Visual Observer and Basic Pilot while working as a fisheries technician. Alongside her colleagues, she completed Basic Flight School training, laying the foundation for her career in aerial services.
With over a decade of experience in forestry, Kimberly has served in diverse roles, including four wildfire seasons as a Wildland Firefighter across British Columbia. Her work encompassed FireSmart projects, heavy machinery operation, and wildfire rehabilitation efforts.
Currently pursuing an Environmental Natural Resource Technologist diploma at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, Kimberly specializes in GIS and wildfire ecology. Her academic and professional goals are aligned with advancing her expertise in aviation and environmental stewardship.