Brisbane-based Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Cate Dows and Cairns-based Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Garvina Lui live at opposite ends of the state, but these two women share the same dream.
They both joined the RFDS as apprentices in their early 20s to gain more hands-on experience in their engineering trade.
And now, after training alongside the Flying Doctor’s engineering team, they have been accepted into the Licensed Engineer Aviation Program (LEAP) as aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) and are forging ahead in their careers.
LEAP was launched by the RFDS in 2023, with support from donors and the RFDS Foundation to create a pathway for emerging engineers to become licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs).
With many in the industry nearing retirement, the RFDS established the program to ensure decades of hard-earned knowledge are passed down to the next generation and to build a robust and sustainable pipeline of engineers to meet future workforce needs.
“I don’t think I would have gotten the experience I needed without support from the RFDS,” Garvina said.
“Every aircraft is different, and all the engineers here have been maintaining and repairing these aircraft for 20-30 years and have these machines down to a fine art.
“Right now, is the time to learn everything we can from the greats.”
In Queensland, the RFDS proudly supports five apprentices, eight AMEs (five are in LEAP), and 22 LAMEs across the state at our Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Charleville, Mount Isa, Rockhampton and Townsville bases.
The team manages a fleet of 26 aircraft, which includes Beechcraft King Air B200s, B350s and B360s that service regional, rural and remote communities.
“I would highly recommend other women, who have a passion for engineering, to join the RFDS because the team is like a family,” Cate said.
“The variation of work that comes through the hangar has given me the practical skills needed to make it to LEAP.
“Now I can work towards my dream of becoming a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer.”
For Cate and Garvina, LEAP is more than a career opportunity—it’s a chance to keep the Flying Doctor flying 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, Garvina understands the importance of the Flying Doctor providing care to remote communities.
“It was in my first couple of weeks of working here, a family member actually came in on an aircraft from Darnley Island,” Garvina said.
“It fills my heart knowing I can play a part in connecting people to the best possible healthcare.”
