What's a Day Like at VIKING

Our manufacturing employees work either a morning or afternoon shift.

Day shifts are Monday through Friday.

• 6:00am - 2:30pm
• 7:00am - 3:30pm
• 8:00am - 4:30pm

Afternoons are Monday through Thursday.

• 2:30pm - 1:00am
• 3:30pm - 2:00am

Our offices are staffed from 6:00am to 5:00pm, with various 8 hour shifts throughout the day.

The following areas are part of the “office”:

• Accounting/Administration
• Product Support/Customer Service Representatives
• Quality Assurance/Control
• Material Maintenance/Stores Department.

For the manufacturing staff, each day starts by reviewing the progress of work in the assembly line.  We have Staff and Safety meetings weekly. Most jobs are performed indoors; with the option of swinging open the hangar’s doors in nice weather or keeping them closed to seal the heat in during bad weather.  This keeps employees dry and warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

There are a number of Manufacturing Cells within the Company, that include:

Sheetmetal
This department performs a large variety of jobs. It can be highly technical, where precise workmanship is important. Some consider our sheetmetal work as a form of art.

Assembly
This is a team lead by the Charge hand and Supervised by the Assembly Supervisor. Technicians get there instructions for the “build” that day then plan with their team members how this would be accomplished to meet quality and production requirements. Once in assembly the technicians continue to check the blue prints and also check the parts for quality and fit.
The technician also has to self-inspect their work at all times to meet quality requirements and exceed customer expectations.

Machine Shop
This cell who  “machine”  the precision aircraft parts. First thing in the morning the machines are warmed up and jobs are assigned. This includes operating CNC Mills, Lathes, Manual Mill, Deburring, and Inspection. At the end of each day the checklist for machine maintenance is completed before passing onto next shift.

Painting
As a small group, they must perform a wide variety of tasks that are required to paint an aircraft. First is preparation- bodywork, estimates, inventory, masking, de-corroding, surface preparation, chemical conversion, and drawing interpretation; then painting. Problem solving is an important part of the job.  Time is also allocated to machine maintenance and tool maintenance.

Welding
Another small group, they are involved with every department as their skills are specialized.   Their work is support for Tooling, Manufacturing, Prototype, and Estimating. They provide input on a variety of jobs in all stages of development.

Repair and Overhaul/Aircraft Maintenance Department 

These team members are responsible for various projects and special assignments that include modifications, maintenance, repairs, and overhauls on DeHavilland Aircrafts. 

Tooling Department and Engineering Department

This department are in-charge of the accurate design of the tooling and for the 400 Series Project and other various modifications.

Engineering

Our Engineers ensure the configuration of the airplane is approved by Transport Canada. They track all changes to the design drawings and product service manuals.  Other jobs include;

• Documenting assembly fitment issues
• Changes to the existing flight and maintenance and part manuals
• Designing, analyzing and documenting the new design changes such as the modifications to the cockpit, new engines, new floor, composite components

Quality

The Quality Department is the “Inspection” team of the company, this is both for the materials and equipment used.  Many of the materials are inspected or tested for hardness/conductivity, and to be sure they meet strict specifications.

Sheetmetal parts, new tools, new CNC programs and assemblies are inspected against the drawing requirements and applicable specifications, using calibrated
measuring equipment. They assist and support production needs from a quality prospective, to attest quality is being built into the parts themselves and do non-conformance reports when necessary.  They must work with supervisors and charge hands as well as a variety of co-workers in the company on a daily basis. 

The FUN Department

A small committee lead by the HR Assistant, who ensure through out the year all the staff get to have FUN at both work and at some great events, here’s some of the stuff  we have done:

• United Way Employee Campaign-includes Kick Off and Closing Celebration Party
• Various Memorial Boys and Girls Club Events throughout the year
• Company Golf Tournament which includes BBQ dinner and prizes
• Group tickets to support the Victoria Salmon Kings Hockey League
• Summer Shutdown BBQ
• Christmas Holiday Shutdown Lunch
• Milestone Marker Celebrations (1st Launch, 1st Aircraft, Birthday party for the Beaver, New Building etc).
• Canucks Tickets and Flight
• Your birthday is a holiday
• Viking Sponsored Times Colonist 10K Team and Brunch

Meet Some of our Current Staff

Name: Bryan Bendall
Position: Originally a Stores-person, he then attended Viking U, and is now working in Assembly

Why I like my job:
"My fellow co-workers and staff are extremely courteous and helpful; making it a ‘real treat’ to come to work.  We all take great pride and ownership in the work we do making it interesting and quite fun! Feeling ‘proud’ for the work we all do plus generous benefits and wages make working in assembly the best job I have experienced."

Education: Grade 12
Recently completed Viking University Training Program

Name: Ana Pimenta
Position: Customer Service Rep (CSR) and Inventory Analyst

Why I like my job:
"I like my job because every day is unique. There is so much happening in Product Support that I get to focus on different things throughout the day. As a CSR I deal with customers, quoting and selling parts. As an Inventory Analyst I work closely with Neil Broadhead setting and maintaining Safety Stock Levels, along with a few other projects. I have so much more to learn, but I look forward to growing in knowledge and experience." 

Education: Bachelor in Commerce

Name: Julie Raffaelli
Position: Machinist-400 Series Tooling Department

Why I like my job:
"You never do the same thing, it’s always changing. You work with a group of people with different skills who are willing to show you the proper way of doing things."

Education:
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Degree in Engineering (Mechanical)
Volunteer with student organization (translator)

Name: Justin Holt
Position: Assembly –R&O/400 Series Demo Cockpit

Why I like my job:
"There is a nice variety of work and a great working atmosphere.  The job is challenging and rewarding.
Viking is a great place to gain leading edge experience in the aviation industry."

Education:
Completion of the aircraft maintenance (AME) program at Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario