2024
Steve Small
Summerstown, ON
Imagine if your first flight was in a Chipmunk. A WWII veteran pilot and a wide-eyed 11-year-old, turning his face skyward for the first time. Young Steve Small didn’t know at the time, but the pilot would turn out to be the father of his future wife.
At that moment Steve’s love of aviation was born. For those who truly love the blue beyond, once the thrill is felt, it follows you all your life.
Like many future AME’s, at age 13 Steve started working on the ramp in the family business, fueling, washing bellies and bugs off windows, and grabbing the opportunity to fly whenever it was offered. That same summer he began his flight training as well, with an Introductory Flight gift certificate from his dad for his birthday. His father, Gordon Small, taught him that the “skyline is a promise, not a boundary”.
Steve earned his Private Pilot Licence as soon as he was 17 and went on to complete his Commercial Licence in 1982 and ATPL in 1990.
Though flying was fun, Steve’s true passion was maintenance and he attended Canadore College from 1980-82, earning his Diploma and completing his M Licence apprenticeship under Frank Gropler, one of Canada’s true aviation pioneers. He went on to add his Structures licence and became a mentor and teacher to apprentices in the company, many who now hold positions of responsibility in aviation nationwide.
Steve became Director of Maintenance for Cornwall Aviation in 1985, a varied and exciting career with many different aircraft gracing the hangar. He has performed countless repairs, rebuilds and imports, ferrying some new purchases himself, from as far away as Florida and BC.
In quoting one customer “Steve is a stand-up guy. I had walked into the shop at midday, unannounced and asked for some help. He dropped everything and did some brake work for me right then and there for free. He wouldn’t even let me buy him a beer or a coffee…” Another fellow routinely stopped by with his cherished bird announcing he was there to “see the doctor”. Steve has built up a loyal band of friends and customers with his no nonsense, let’s get this right attitude.
Steve kept up his flying, earning accolades with the Cornwall Flying Club Pilot of the Year award. He worked mornings for Pem-Air from 1988-1989, flying a Cornwall to Toronto sched service in a Navajo and King Air and repaired aircraft in the afternoon.
Steve served as President of the Cornwall Flying Club and was instrumental in getting improved windspeed, direction, and altimeter equipment for the airport. As Airport Manager he recently organized an upgrade replacement to the system. He has been a member of COPA since 1984. Steve has been a long-time member of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association of Ontario. Joining in 1984 as member 27.
In addition to his Maintenance career, Steve is also Chief Pilot for Cornwall Aviation and continues to fly a weekly pipeline patrol, which he has done for the past 40 years, as well as animal and bird counts for the government and as a Pilot Examiner for Multi and Instrument Ratings. Together with his father and brother, they have grown the company into a nationwide renowned flight school.
In 2004 Steve earned the AME Association Robert McCombie Award which is presented to an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer whose work is considered by his/her peers to be outstanding.
Steve has worked with Air Cadets maintenance and flown Young Eagles, promoting aviation for the youth of today and the pilots and engineers of tomorrow.
In 2014 Steve opened his own company, KLT Aviation Services and, following in his dad’s footsteps, earned a contract to serve as Airport Manager for the Cornwall Regional Airport. As he says, “operating an airport is not a 9-to-5 job”, answering midnight calls for missing aircraft and helping stranded pilots. Recently a corporate pilot was having trouble with the pin on his credit card and Steve offered to bill the company and use his own credit card to get the pilot on his way. His kindness and willingness to help a fellow aviator, to promote business for the airport and aviation in general, is the hallmark of his character.
When asked about the state of aviation today Steve says “It certainly has its challenges” but he says it with a smile. He is always ready to have a cup of coffee and sit down for a chat about all thing’s aviation.
As we all know, it takes a lot of enthusiasm, pride, caring for detail, and just plain thoughtfulness to have a successful and happy aviation career. Eating, sleeping and living aircraft has been the passion of Steve’s life and he has been supported throughout by Sue, his childhood sweetheart and wife of 35 years. When they were young, he took her off to Oshkosh, to camp in a tent and soak in the sounds and sights of hundreds of aircraft. She knew then she would be sharing his heart with two wings and a propeller for the rest of her life. A true aviation enthusiast benefits from a partner who understands!
Steve’s kids all spent their summers working in the family business, on the ramp, hangar, and office. They were taught at an early age that safety is paramount and teamwork essential. No job was unimportant in their dad’s eyes.
Now Steve’s 11-month-old granddaughter Ella sports a t-shirt “Grandpa’s Little Co-pilot”, so it is plain to see that he hopes the dream will live on in future generations, in the hangar and in the air.