John Peter Holding

Born on August 13, 1943, to parents Jack and Mabel in Preston, Lancashire, England, John Peter Holding was one of three children, having an older sister, Maureen, and a younger sister, Christine. John’s early exposure to aviation came through his father, Jack, who served as a rear gunner flying three tours of duty in Mitchell bombers with 180 Squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Jack continued with a short term commission after the war as a flight lieutenant. His son, John, harboured a desire to fly, but as he grew up, he realized that he wanted to be involved in the technical aspects of aircraft design and fabrication.

At age 19, John entered a five-year apprenticeship in British aerospace with aircraft builder, English Electric, subsequently British Aerospace. There he was exposed to hands-on experience in all aspects of aircraft production from design, to the shop floor and to completion of the final product. John excelled in this environment and was awarded a National Prize in 1965, along with his Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

On July 10, 1965, John married his wife, Chere, and continuing his education, he earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Manchester in 1967. After completion of his apprenticeship and studies he became a professional engineer following acceptance as an Associate member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. While employed with English Electric/British Aerospace, he became involved with working on flight control systems for the Jaguar and Tornado fighter aircraft programs. This led to an appointment as Deputy Program Manager on the Jaguar Fly-By-Wire demonstrator aircraft. The fly-by-wire system of computer-regulated control of aircraft flight developed technology that was then incorporated in the following Eurofighter Program.

Meanwhile, in Canada, with the start of the CL-600 Challenger aircraft program by Canadair in 1977, the company needed experienced engineers and technologists in the design phase. The aircraft of an entirely new design involved requirements new to existing business aircraft. Talent was sought from the United Kingdom and the United States to meet the challenge. Responding to an irresistible opportunity to work on a new aircraft, in 1979, John and Chere moved with their three children – Sarah, James and Emily – to join Canadair in Montréal.

Thus John Holding began his time at Canadair as a Senior Staff Specialist, advancing to Manager and then Director of systems engineering for the Challenger. It was a demanding period as the production team overcame issues and problems while the new aircraft progressed to certification in 1980. John was appointed as head of the Challenger Corrective Action Team to deal with matters and modifications required to introduce the Challenger to service. It was an intense period, dealing with problems from cracked windshields to engine performance, which heightened when customers began to operate the aircraft in service.

Canadair combined a new fuselage, a high technology wing and an untried engine, the Lycoming ALF-502, in the Challenger program. Issues with the new aircraft arose with fixes that involved the coordination of engineering and procurement from international suppliers. During this period, John was the principal voice of engineering, who with product support executives, faced demanding customers. During seven days a week of work over an extended period, John’s technical expertise earned him the trust of customers and the Canadair team alike.

His expertise led to his appointment as Vice President Engineering in 1990. Product development, flight operations and quality assurance were added to John’s responsibilities. In 1993, he became Executive Vice President of Bombardier Aerospace Group, which had purchased Canadair in 1986. In 1996 he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Engineering and Product Development. For the last two years of his Bombardier employment, John served as Executive Vice President of Integrated Product Development and Planning for Bombardier’s New Commercial Aircraft Programs. John served in that capacity until his retirement in 2005.

The year 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the Challenger. John Holding was a major contributor to Bombardier’s success with the aircraft; more than 1,100 of the type have been delivered. His contributions to aircraft development go beyond the Challenger regional jet. He oversaw conversion of the Bombardier-built Canadair CL-215 amphibious water bomber to turbine power and the introduction of its sister, a new amphibian water bomber, the CL-415. Added to this was the development of the Bombardier-built Q400, which rejuvenated the regional high-speed turboprop market.

John’s achievements in engineering are unequalled in the aircraft industry. He participated in the design of the Challenger 600 and 601, and had full responsibility for the certification of the Challenger 604 and the smaller Challenger 300; the Learjet 45 and 60; Bombardier’s CRJ (Canadian Regional Jet) series; the company’s Global Express 5000 and 6000 XRS; the de Havilland Q400; and the Challenger Fly-By-Wire Research Aircraft. In total, approximately 7,000 aircraft of all types developed in this period have been delivered. Since retirement, John has contributed as a consultant to the development of Bombardier’s Global 7000 and its C Series 100 and 300 aircraft.

Under Holding’s leadership, Bombardier introduced a record derivative or new type each year over a 15-year period. John contributed significantly to the product lines that propelled Bombardier to the position of the number three aircraft manufacturer in the world, after Airbus and Boeing. His success in the industry goes beyond his own accomplishments with a talent for selecting and nurturing talent and providing opportunities for his subordinates to develop.

Following retirement from Bombardier in 2005, John incorporated JPAH Aerospace Engineering Ltd. in 2006. He has stayed abreast of technological developments and assisted companies in developing business strategies and projects. As Senior Advisor at Aerion Corporation, he has assisted in the advanced design phase of Aerion’s supersonic business jet program, which is personally special for him, as he was fortunate enough to work for a short period of time on the development of the Concorde supersonic airliner.

John was a founding Member and Chairman of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) to coordinate industry-led research. He served on the Canadian Defence Science Advisory Board and the Canadian Advanced Technology Association. John is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and a past member of the Canadian Business Aircraft Association. He has also served as chairman of the board for Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

For his contributions to the airline industry, John Holding’s various awards include the Von Karman Award by the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences in 1998 for work in promoting international cooperation in aerospace. In 1999 he received a Laurels Award for outstanding achievement in the field of Aeronautics/Propulsion by Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine. In 2005 John was the recipient of the Prix Carrière industrielle from École Polytechnique in Montréal. That same year he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Montréal.

Laurent Beaudoin, former President and now retired CEO and Chairman of Bombardier, who was inducted himself as a Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in 1999, has high praise for John Holding. Beaudoin has stated that,

“John Holding, an engineering expert in aerospace, offered Bombardier his full dedication; his expertise and his leadership made the difference in the success of our programs. He was a team leader and his contribution in various capacities was key to our achievements. He certainly contributed in an exceptional way to the advancement of aviation/aerospace in Canada with our successful launch of the Regional Jet in Canada, a first in our country.”

John Peter Holding and his wife, Chere, live in Hudson, Québec, and in addition to their three children, are grandparents to Caleb, Jake and Lilymay.