Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com is pleased to present our dedicated team of instructors – Meet Kevin Rookes, an experienced aviation professional.
Sofema has been delivering high-level regulatory training since 2008. As we continue to grow, we strive to get to know our customers, so we can meet their needs in the best possible way. This goes both ways, and that’s why we want you to learn more about our team.
Get to know the SAS Instructor Kevin Rookes – an aviation specialist with over 35 years of working experience.
As a knowledgeable SAS instructor, Kevin uses his experience and passion for Quality, Safety, and Risk Management to help the delegates from various companies increase their aviation competence.
He provides oversight of Quality Management Systems (QMS), Safety Management Systems (SMS), and Aviation Regulatory Training in compliance with numerous National Aviation Authority requirements. These include the EASA, FAA, and the HKCAD. Kevin is a trained Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OSHAS 18001, ISO 31000 for Risk Management, and ISO 22301 for Business Continuity and has held Form 4 Quality Manager and Safety Manager positions in several large Maintenance Repair Organisations (MRO’s). He is a member of the International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA), the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), and the Hong Kong Association of Risk Management and Safety (HKARMS).
Kevin Rookes has delivered numerous training courses on behalf of Sofema – See photos from the Overseas Territory Aviation Regulations (OTAR) Part 145 & Part 43 Recurrent training presented to Hongkong Jet in Hong Kong & the Logistics & Stores Inspection Procedures EASA training delivered to Jetstar Pacific in Vietnam.
We asked Kevin a few questions about his experience in working with Sofema
- Initially, what inspired you to start a career in aviation?
My career in aviation started during my mid-life in 1991. Having spent my working life in precision machining in the UK, it was whilst working in the oil & gas industry in Libya that I decided there was more to life than repairing rotating equipment in a desert environment, so I applied for a position as a General Workshop Foreman (Machining) with Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. (HAECO). It was the time of the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar and Boeing B-747 and I was overwhelmed yet fascinated by how these ‘great beasts of the air’ with their 6 million parts were constructed and how they were maintained airworthy. I had found my passion and desire to learn as much as I could about aviation maintenance and so my career in aviation started.
- What motivates you as an aviation instructor and what is the best part about being a Sofema trainer?
To be an instructor, you need to be self-motivated to keep up with changing regulatory requirements and technology. These are subjects that I enjoy learning and passing on my knowledge to others, particularly those who are just starting out in aviation. This is what gives me satisfaction as a Sofema instructor.
- Which aspects do you find most rewarding in your career?
The most rewarding aspect of my career is developing my skills and helping to foster the growth of others. As Director of my own company, I constantly assist and guide new clients, which exposes me to new people and different learning styles. Acknowledging a client’s strengths and professional areas allows me to help them grow. As I teach others, I am reinforcing my own knowledge and understanding. In an ever-changing industry, learning from others’ successes and challenges makes me better able to produce a higher quality end product/service – whatever that may be.
- And what challenges have you faced along the way?
There have been a number of challenges in my career. I can separate the challenges into two specific areas – my tenure as an employee of a company and my position as owner of a company.
Employee of a company:
- Moving to a higher level in hierarchy and understanding what success looks like at the new level, including issues of focus, delegation, credibility, and leadership.
- Leading in an unfamiliar culture while at the same time moving one’s family and creating a new support system.
- Joining a new organization and needing to quickly understand and adapt to a new culture, new people, and a new political arena.
Owner of a company:
- Moving to a position of authority in which influencing others and building alliances is critical.
- Marketing my services to establish a client portfolio that will produce continued growth and sustainable business.
- Besides Aviation, what other areas pique your interest?
From an early age, I have always enjoyed practical projects be it building a transistor radio to tiling a bathroom! I have a passion for DIY particularly carpentry projects where I can see a result in the finished product that I am proud to say, “I made that”!
- Lastly, what will you advise people who dream of a career in aviation?
Go for it!
You will not be disappointed!
Although travel has been severely disrupted by COVID-19, innovation in technology and approaches to re-establish air travel will be crucial to redefining mobility. We are only at the forefront of new technologies such as unmanned aircraft; artificial intelligence; biometrics; robotics; block chain; alternative fuels and electric aircraft, therefore there is tremendous opportunities and scope for any person wishing to pursue a career in aviation.
About Sofema Aviation Services
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and our sister company Sofema Online www.SofemaOnline.com provide classroom and online training for regulatory and vocational training fully compliant with EASA requirements. Over the years we have helped many thousands of aviation professionals gain a deep understanding regarding both the regulatory environment as well as competence building vocational training. By Early 2021 we have issued over 30,000 certificates of course completion to our delegates. 550+ Classroom & Webinar courses are currently available together with over 220 courses available online through our sister site www.SofemaOnline.com
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Next Steps
If you want to know more about our services, visit our websites Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com & Sofema Online www.SofemaOnline.com, or email us at team@sassofia.com.
Tags:
Aviation Instructor, Aviation Instructor Kevin Rookes, Aviation Quality, Aviation regulatory training, aviation safety, EASA, FAA, Maintenance Repair Organisations (MRO’s), Meet our team, Quality Management Systems, Risk Management, Safety Management Systems (SMS), SAS Instructor, SAS training
