Ashleigh Jacka didn’t initially plan on a career in aviation, but after starting in a non-aviation role, she quickly caught the bug and today she’s fully immersed in the world of aviation and safety.
Having only entered the industry in 2018, she credits a great mentor and the opportunity to work as a safety officer with sparking her interest.
‘The experience gave me more than an understanding of aviation and safety; it helped me build the confidence to trust in myself and to welcome new opportunities as they come.
‘I started off working for Experience Co, which is an adventure tourism company operating skydiving drop zones across Australia and New Zealand, within their maintenance facility at Performance Aviation, ‘ Ashleigh says.
‘I was then provided the opportunity to step into the safety officer role within our Aviation and Skydive Australia divisions and then briefly the safety manager role for our There by Air division.
‘During my 2 years in that role, I was able to gain invaluable on-the-job experience as well as the opportunity to further my studies in areas including work health and safety and lead investigator.
‘After two years, I transitioned into my current role as Operations Manager at Performance Aviation, where I work alongside the engineering team while they oversee the technical work, as I provide operational and safety support, managing a large fleet of aircraft with safety remaining a central focus of my role.
‘One of the highlights has been the opportunity to travel to drop zones and a variety of audit locations, experiencing different environments and seeing firsthand how operations run across the country.
‘It’s not just sitting in the same office every day. I get to meet people, learn about different parts of the business, and see the industry from all angles.
‘And I have also taken the leap – literally – and done something I said I would never do skydiving! I have now done it 3 times, and it was both scary and exhilarating.
‘There is so much to learn and I’m still learning!’
To help in her development within the area of safety management, Ashleigh applied for and was selected as a recipient of CASA’s Safety Manager Scholarships.
‘I feel very lucky to have received the scholarship and I love that it is focused on safety.
‘Through the scholarship I have been able to extend my studies and complete the Southpac Aerospace Aviation safety management system course, and I am also currently studying a diploma in work health and safety.
‘It has also helped me understand that safety isn’t just about procedures. It’s about people, and I want to help change the culture.
‘My approach is all about breaking down barriers and I like to think people feel comfortable coming forward, pointing things out and having conversations about safety.’
Ashleigh is passionate about creating an environment where people feel heard and supported. She believes that open communication is key to building a proactive safety culture.
‘My philosophy is simple. Don’t assume anything. Aviation is unlike any other industry; you can’t go in with preconceived ideas and things aren’t always black and white.
‘I believe that being empathetic and having an open mind has helped foster a culture of trust.
‘It’s not always about someone doing something wrong. It’s about figuring out what happened and how we can prevent it in the future.’
Looking ahead, Ashleigh sees herself diving deeper into safety.
‘One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is combining operational duties with a commitment to safety, guided by my respect for procedures and regulations, while helping foster a positive and proactive safety culture.
‘I don’t know exactly where my career will lead, but safety will always be a key part of the journey.’
Safety manager scholarship program now open
If you’re committed to the development of a healthy aviation safety culture in your organisation, apply now for CASA’s safety manager scholarship program.
Visit the CASA website for more details.
