Nathan Catte was raised in Air Ronge and is a graduate of La Ronge's Churchill Community High School. (Submitted photo/Dan Gold)

By Derek Cornet

achievement

Aircraft engineer recognized for excellence in Canadian aviation

Aug 13, 2024 | 5:01 PM

Nathan Catte, who was raised in Air Ronge and currently lives in Prince Albert, has been recognized by Wings magazine in its annual Top 20 Under 40 program.

The program recognizes young individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, influence, achievement and dedication to their organizations and Canadian aviation and aerospace. Catte is one of 20 individuals to be recognized by the magazine in 2024.

“It’s a little surreal,” Catte said about being named by the publication.

“I have been doing this career professionally for 20 years, so it is a significant amount of recognition to get that award. I am just honoured … but I am really excited, especially a northern guy getting this award, and I am just really excited to be able to accept it and being in the magazine.”

Catte began working at the La Ronge Airport in 2004, and he also participated in the aircraft maintenance course at La Ronge’s Churchill Community High School before graduating in 2005. Following his grad, he undertook a four-year aircraft maintenance engineering apprenticeship program, mostly working in La Ronge with nine weeks per year at school at Portage la Prairie near Winnipeg.

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Catte worked in La Ronge for about six years, before accepting a position of two weeks in, two weeks out in Stony Rapids. He and his partner wanted to start a family, so he decided to relocate to Prince Albert in 2016 in order to have more regular work hours and to be home all the time.

Nathan Catte is currently employed by Rise Air at the Rise Air at the Prince Albert Glass Field Airport. (Submitted photo/Dan Gold)

“When I first came to PA, I was back as a floor mechanic, so I went from floor mechanic to supervisor to crew supervisor to base engineer,” Catte explained. “I kind of went up the ladder pretty quick in Prince Albert.”

In his day-to-day work, Catte manages all of the maintenance for Rise Air at the Prince Albert Glass Field Airport. He oversees projects, assist with any issues engineers may have, and mentors the apprentices.

Catte noted enjoys his career and he called it a good job where he has always been treated well. He added he has no plans to leave the aviation industry.

“There are Ferrari mechanics out there and why do they work on Ferraris? It’s a high-quality sports car,” Catte said.

“Why do people work on airplanes? Because it’s just a whole other level of quality of work in aviation. Everything has to work, it has to be perfect, and it has to be safe for families and customers.”

Chris Samoila, Rise Air’s Director of Maintenance, said he is thrilled that Catte has been recognized by Wings for the award.

“Nathan is representative of the robust middle management group at our company, and the fact that his efforts have been recognized, speaks to the fact that we are succeeding in being an innovative and progressive aircraft maintenance group,” Samoila stated in a social media post by the company.

“The recognition of his individual efforts in building and supporting a system that produces safe and reliable aircraft is well deserved.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com