Duane Riddell

Introduction:

Mr. Duane Riddell – Mr. Riddell, recently retired as Airport Manager from Red Lake Airport, began his aviation career in Red Lake, Ontario, after graduating from Confederation College’s Aviation Management program in 1985 and has since accumulated over thirty-five years of aviation operations experience in North-western Ontario.

Bringing substantial Quality Assurance expertise from his work in Air Carrier services, Mr. Riddell transitioned into airport management with more than two decades of direct experience aligned with Canadian Aviation Regulations and Transport Canada’s requirements.

From 1995 to 2001, he worked as Chief Pilot and Maintenance Coordinator for Green Airways Ltd., where he developed and oversaw the airline’s Aircraft Maintenance Quality Assurance Program. During this time, Mr. Riddell successfully integrated self-auditing and auditor independence protocols introduced by Transport Canada into operational procedures.

Between 2001 and 2008, as Operations Manager for Chimo Air Service, he gained further auditing experience through annual maintenance audits and serving as the key liaison with the Regulator. On joining Red Lake Airport in 2009, Mr. Riddell promptly enhanced manuals and procedures, ensuring their effectiveness. He led the implementation of the airports Safety Management System (SMS), making Red Lake Airport an early adopter and providing valuable data ahead of Transport Canada’s SMS mandate.

Throughout his career, continuous training has strengthened Mr. Riddell's skills in SMS, auditing, investigations, root cause analysis, and 5-Why Analysis. His expertise is regularly requested by regional airports for assistance with root cause analyses and Corrective Action Plans.

He has conducted compliance audits and developed processes and checklists for Thunder Bay International Airport, Dryden Regional Airport, and Kenora Airport, supporting post-audit activities and sharing best practices learned in Red Lake.

Having recently stepped down from the executive of the Airport Management Council of Ontario (AMCO), Mr. Riddell served as president for two terms and was a board member for over fifteen years. He also represented regional airports for two terms on the NAVCanada Advisory Committee, consistently advocating for the region and sharing his comprehensive knowledge.

Mr. Riddell has secured significant federal and provincial funding for Red Lake Airport capital improvements and built effective partnerships with stakeholders such as the local Mining Industry, resulting in major upgrades.

During his time at Red Lake Airport, he facilitated numerous capital projects, including a precision approach system, animal control fencing, ODAL replacement, upgraded runway lighting, airfield reporting software, regulatory equipment enhancements, terminal building construction, a $10 million runway rehabilitation and apron expansion, and most recently a sewer and water expansion supporting airside subdivision development. Representing the Municipality throughout these efforts, he has gained extensive construction project management experience that will benefit future initiatives.

Additionally, Mr. Riddell was instrumental in helping Team Eagle develop GPS-based Airfield Inspection and Safety Management System software tailored for small airports, presenting at industry conferences about its adoption and advantages for smaller facilities.