Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Experienced Vice President of Strategic Opportunities (formerly VP Sales and Marketing) with a demonstrated history of working in the aviation and aerospace industry. Skilled in Aeronautics, Business Aviation, Aviation, Civil Aviation, Military and Avionics. Strong sales professional with a Aeronautical Engineering Technology focused in Aeronautical Certification Engineering from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Derek Taylor was appointed to the role of Vice President of Strategic Opportunities in August of 2022, following VP of Sales and Marketing since March 2020. Derek continues his 20+ year tenure with FLYHT and has advanced through various departments and held positions across engineering, product development, and technical and international sales. Derek has a deep background in sales and as FLYHT’s Director of Sales, he oversaw all Company related sales initiatives outside of China. During his career, he brokered the initial discussions with Bombardier, which led to the AFIRS installations on the CRJ-700/900 and DHC-8-Q400 aircraft types, and more recently the Airbus A220. Derek also spearheaded the initiatives which led to FLYHT’s recent $6.2 million contract with WestJet and $1.8 million contract with Azur Aviation. Derek is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys playing golf, hockey, fly fishing and spending time with his family in Calgary.
Formerly FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.
FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. is a leading provider of real-time aircraft intelligence and cockpit communications for the aerospace industry. More than 80 customers, including airlines, leasing companies and original equipment manufacturers, have installed our systems in order to increase safety, improve operational efficiencies and enhance profitability. The Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) is an Iridium-based SATCOM device installed on the aircraft providing ATC Safety Services Voice and FANS datalink, and also an AFIRS version that uses FLYHT’s proprietary software to acquire and transmit aircraft data to the ground in real time, where it is then processed and distributed to the customer using FLYHT’s ground server network and Cloud based solution called UpTime. A separate Aircraft Configuration Module contains the SIM card, system configuration information and user-stored information making AFIRS a true line replaceable unit. AFIRS has extensive and expandable interface capabilities that allow it to connect to numerous aircraft systems and it comes complete with a built-in Quick Access Recorder (QAR). Data-based services include enhanced global flight tracking that meets ICAO GADSS compliance, automated engine data collection for Engine Condition Trending Monitoring, event triggered flight data recorder (FDR) streaming, two-way text messages (iPad, MCDU), real-time proactive aircraft health monitoring solutions, fuel management, plus a whole lot more. AFIRS has flown over 2.6 million aggregate flight hours and 1.7 million flights on customers’ aircraft. FLYHT holds Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) which allow for the installation of AFIRS on 95% of transport category aircraft.
For over 25 years, International Water-Guard (IWG) has been helping business and commercial aircraft manufacturers improve the quality of on-board water systems, protecting both passengers and crew from the risk of waterborne illnesses. Operating from our headquarters near Vancouver, British Columbia, our team of aviation water professionals develops innovative solutions to the issues surrounding on-board water supply. We are the world’s leading provider of flight-certified potable water treatment units, on-demand water heaters, aircraft water pumps, a compact water module, and innovative potable water components. Today, hundreds of corporate, VIP, and military transport operators have chosen an IWG solution to their on-board water needs. More than 3,000 of IWG’s units have been factory-installed or retrofitted to aircraft worldwide.
Certification engineering/design for aircraft modifications and repairs (e.g. avionics, interior cargo/VIP configurations, etc.).