Chris Bates
Cochrane
Summary
Seasoned aviation safety and emergency response professional with 12+ years of experience in airline operations, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive emergency response programs, lead crisis management initiatives, and collaborate with regulatory bodies. Adept at designing training programs, conducting quality reviews, and managing cross-functional teams to ensure safety and operational excellence.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
In-flight Quality and Standards Manager
Flair Airlines
09.2021 - Current
- Spearhead regulatory compliance and quality assurance initiatives (CARs, CASS) across in-flight operations.
- Coordinate program changes and update key cabin safety processes to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
- Manage SMS report processes—from investigation and root cause analysis to implementing corrective actions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including training and operations, to integrate best practices and streamline safety protocols.
- Lead regular audits and reviews of in-flight operations, providing actionable recommendations to enhance safety and compliance performance.
Operations Director & Searcher - Volunteer
Cochrane Search and Rescue
01.2023 - Current
- Oversee operational committees and drive training/standardization initiatives to enhance emergency response effectiveness.
- Accumulated 780+ on-call hours, responding to critical incidents and coordinating with local emergency services (RCMP, Cochrane Fire, Calgary Police).
- Attend monthly Board meetings to contribute strategic insights and shape organizational safety and emergency response policies.
- Liaise with Search and Rescue Alberta to identify training and operational improvement opportunities that align with best practices.
- Cultivate strong working relationships with community partners—including the Town of Cochrane, Cochrane Fire, and RCMP—to bolster regional crisis readiness and collaborative planning.
SMS Coordinator
Aspire Airlines
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive Emergency Response Program—including manual development, training initiatives, and tabletop exercises—to strengthen crisis readiness.
- Administered SMS software and managed safety reporting through risk assessment, investigations, and corrective action plans.
- Developed and maintained the Safety Procedures Manual and executed Management of Change initiatives to ensure continuous safety improvements.
Advisor, Regulatory and Development – Inflight
Swoop Airlines
12.2019 - 09.2020
- Developed and revised regulatory documents and training programs in compliance with Transport Canada standards.
- Led audits, coordinated policy development, and drove improvements in safety practices through cross-functional projects.
Manager, Cabin Safety & Technical Training
Canadian North Airlines
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Appointed as the Approved Transport Canada Flight Attendant Manager, overseeing the safety standards for 120+ flight attendants in compliance with Commercial Air Services Standard 725.07(d).
- Oversaw SMS report management, risk assessments, and implementation of corrective actions to continuously improve in-flight safety.
Supervisor, Cabin Safety & Crew Performance
Canadian North Airlines
09.2018 - 01.2019
- Acted as primary support for flight attendants, addressing performance and operational issues.
- Oversaw daily operations, Collective Agreement administration, and led safety training.
Flight Attendant & Cabin Safety Instructor
Canadian North Airlines
03.2013 - 12.2019
- Acted as primary support for flight attendants, addressing performance and operational issues.
- Oversaw daily operations, Collective Agreement administration, and led safety training.
Education
High School Diploma -
Bow Valley High School
Cochrane, ABSkills
Software: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe Acrobat, Smartsheet
SMS Systems: Intelex, SMSPro, Centrik
Training Tools: Articulate 360
Other: Comply365, CARsDeluxe, Pelesys, Nav-Blue, Sabre (CrewQual, CrewTrac)
Certification
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) – Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention (ICISF), 2025
- Search and Rescue Alberta – Disaster Response Certificate, 2025
- Lost Person Behavior Course (Robert J. Koester), 2024
- ICS 100
- Wilderness First Aid Training (40 hours)
- Facilitator Skills for Trainers (CMOE), 2023
- SMS Investigator Training, 2018 & 2023
- Flight Attendant Manager Regulatory Coaching (5 weeks), 2019
Core Competencies
- Emergency Response & Business Recovery: Emergency program design, tabletop exercises, incident command readiness
- Safety Management Systems: SMS reporting, risk assessment, corrective actions, manual development
- Regulatory Compliance: CARs, CASS, Transport Canada, IATA (IOSA), US DOT regulations
- Training & Process Improvement: Curriculum design, quality assurance, cross-functional collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement: Liaison with regulatory agencies, community partners, and internal teams
Timeline
Operations Director & Searcher - Volunteer
Cochrane Search and Rescue
01.2023 - Current
In-flight Quality and Standards Manager
Flair Airlines
09.2021 - Current
SMS Coordinator
Aspire Airlines
09.2020 - 09.2021
Advisor, Regulatory and Development – Inflight
Swoop Airlines
12.2019 - 09.2020
Manager, Cabin Safety & Technical Training
Canadian North Airlines
01.2019 - 12.2019
Supervisor, Cabin Safety & Crew Performance
Canadian North Airlines
09.2018 - 01.2019
Flight Attendant & Cabin Safety Instructor
Canadian North Airlines
03.2013 - 12.2019
High School Diploma -
Bow Valley High School
Similar Profiles
Shalu SharmaShalu Sharma
Customer Service Representative Team Lead at Flair Airlines/ Porter AirlinesCustomer Service Representative Team Lead at Flair Airlines/ Porter Airlines
Rakshit PatelRakshit Patel
Flight Dispatcher 705-Airline Ops at Flair AirlinesFlight Dispatcher 705-Airline Ops at Flair Airlines
Shivani ThakorShivani Thakor
Accounts Payable Analyst at Flair AirlinesAccounts Payable Analyst at Flair Airlines
Shallon NichvalodoffShallon Nichvalodoff
Social Worker II at Alberta Health ServicesSocial Worker II at Alberta Health Services
Kevin GourleyKevin Gourley
Truck Driver at Chapman IndustriesTruck Driver at Chapman Industries