Meet the team
Meet the team behind 49th Degree Aviation: a diverse group of seasoned aviation professionals and enthusiastic newcomers. With expertise spanning various aspects of the industry, they are committed to making aviation more accessible. Through mentorship and support, they ensure a smooth transition for newcomers into the world of aviation.
We proudly operate as a Canadian registered non-profit organization, with each team member volunteering their time and talents to this meaningful initiative. Our collective effort is driven by a shared vision of empowering the next generation of aviators, making a lasting impact on the aviation community.
Colton Campeau
Title: Co-Founder & Director, Program Development
Colton Campeau, co-founder, leads program development, creating impactful learning experiences for young pilots. His background in aviation and education enables him to design programs that effectively meet the needs of aspiring aviators.
Colton is a recent graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation program. He is also currently working on his instructor rating license.
In 2021, he helped found what is now 49th Degree Aviation with the goal of making aviation accessible for anyone who dreams of becoming a pilot. It has now become apparent that there is a lack of resources for students, general aviation pilots and recent graduates to make connections within the industry. This realization has shaped the 49th Degree Aviation mission to not only make aviation accessible but help take uncertainty away for aspiring pilots by connecting them with experienced mentors from all across the aviation industry.
Jayden Wolfe
Title: Co-Founder & Director, Mentorship Programs
Jayden Wolfe brings extensive experience and passion for mentorship. As a co-founder, he has shaped the vision and direction of 49th Degree Aviation, focusing on developing a comprehensive mentorship program that supports aspiring pilots.
My name is Jayden Wolfe, and I’m a First Officer based in Toronto, Ontario. Like many others, mentorship has played a crucial role in shaping my career journey. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I found myself without work and looking for new opportunities. That’s when I reached out to my old roommate, Colton, and we brainstormed the idea of starting a clothing brand. We decided on the name 49th Degree Aviation and quickly got to work, printing our first batch of T-shirts and spreading the word.
With the guidance of my mentor, I landed a job as a First Officer on the King Air 200 in Winnipeg. Balancing remote business management with Colton’s education proved challenging, so we paused the clothing brand.
However, after a year, we revisited the idea with a new perspective. Recognizing the importance of mentorship in my own career, we saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the industry. Over the past year, we’ve been working tirelessly to develop a robust mentorship program aimed at connecting aspiring aviation professionals with seasoned experts.
Our passionate management team believes that making mentorship widely accessible can greatly enhance the transition from education to the workplace in the aviation industry.
Travis Whyte
Title: Director, Marketing & Development
Travis Whyte is responsible for marketing, utilizing digital strategies to enhance the organization’s reach and engagement with potential donors, sponsors, and the aviation community.
Having established a firm foundation in my university studies, earning a B.Sc. in AstroPhysics and a Masters Degree in Instructional Technologies, I am excited to share that I am a life-long learner and a professional problem solver.
Over the past 20 years in the digital marketing industry, I have consulted with hundreds of clients, bringing their businesses and custom web applications to the online world.
With a burning desire to seek out new horizons both professionally and personally, in the summer of 2014, I embarked on an adventure into the field of aviation, obtaining my private, multi-engine, instrument, and commercial pilot licenses. Four years later, I became a professional pilot, flying the Dash8 Q400 for WestJet Encore.
In the fall of 2019, I formed Flight Plan Marketing Ltd as a small family business focused on providing digital marketing services. Working with a team of freelance colleagues, we quickly grew a small client base of friends and relatives and successfully completed a few logo, branding, and website projects.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and my world changed. In May 2020, I was put on furlough from WestJet, and I quickly realized that I needed to transition back into the digital marketing world full-time. Wanting to solidify the business foundation, I enrolled in as many online training programs as I could and within weeks had Google certifications in Digital Marketing Fundamentals, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google My Business, and Google Ads.
During this period of reflection and redirection, I seized an opportunity in 2022 to further my aviation career by accepting a position with AirSprint, a company that operates business jets for fractional owners across North America. I currently fly the Praetor 500, a sophisticated and state-of-the-art business jet, symbolizing not only my progression in the field of aviation but also my commitment to embracing new challenges and opportunities.
I now lead our growing team at Flight Plan Marketing, where we provide a full range of digital marketing services including graphics & logo design, website development, search engine optimization, and small business consulting.
My journey through different careers and continuous education exemplifies my belief in lifelong learning and my dedication to adapting to the evolving demands of both the digital and aviation industries.
Samantha Porter
Title: Director, Outreach
Samantha Porter focuses on outreach, building partnerships with aviation organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to expand the mentorship program’s network and opportunities.
Samantha, currently in her final year at the University of British Columbia is pursuing a degree in Geography: Environment and Sustainability, she also earned her private pilot’s license in 2021.
She has since broadened her flying experience by obtaining her float rating, flying gliders, and exploring aviation in various countries. Now, she’s embarking on the path to acquiring her Commercial Pilot License, eager to launch her career in aviation. As the President of The Aviation Club of UBC, Samantha spearheads initiatives to foster connections among aviation enthusiasts and professionals. She orchestrates events like hangar hangouts, industry nights, and facility tours, fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the club.
Sean Flynn
Title: Director, Program Development
Samantha Porter focuses on outreach, building partnerships with aviation organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to expand the mentorship program’s network and opportunities.
Samantha, currently in her final year at the University of British Columbia is pursuing a degree in Geography: Environment and Sustainability, she also earned her private pilot’s license in 2021.
She has since broadened her flying experience by obtaining her float rating, flying gliders, and exploring aviation in various countries. Now, she’s embarking on the path to acquiring her Commercial Pilot License, eager to launch her career in aviation. As the President of The Aviation Club of UBC, Samantha spearheads initiatives to foster connections among aviation enthusiasts and professionals. She orchestrates events like hangar hangouts, industry nights, and facility tours, fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the club.
