Part-time
Reappointed to a part-time term of four years on December 2, 2022
Mr. Whalen is from St. John’s, Newfoundland, and currently resides in Lower Coverdale, New Brunswick. He started his aviation career in 1973 when he received his pilot’s licence through the Royal Canadian Air Cadets program at CFB Summerside, PEI. His fixed-wing experience includes pilot duties on water bombing operations, turboprop and corporate jet aircraft. His helicopter experience includes light to heavy helicopters in various global locations in the onshore and offshore oil industry. He held a Class Two helicopter instructor qualification and was certified as a Designated Flight Test Examiner for private, commercial and instrument flight tests. Mr. Whalen joined Transport Canada in 1987 as a Civil Aviation Inspector. In 1990, he deployed to the Transportation Safety Board as an investigator and subsequently Regional Manager, Air Investigations. In 1998, he returned to Transport Canada as Regional Manager, Aviation Enforcement, and held various management roles in System Safety, General Aviation, and Commercial and Business Aviation, before retiring from the executive position of Associate Director, Operations, with Transport Canada Civil Aviation. Mr. Whalen holds Airline Transport Pilot Licences (ATPL) for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters