John W. Crichton

John W. Crichton was born in Ottawa on November 15, 1946, one of six children in a family with three boys and three girls. He developed a passion for aviation from his father, who had served as an RCAF flying instructor in Canada during the Second World War and flew coastal patrol flights from Vancouver Island. John earned his private pilot's license in 1967.

He found that administration appealed to him, and was soon managing the Ottawa Flying Club while enrolled at Carleton University. during which time he earned a commercial pilot's license. He left university to fly for Bradley Air Services Limited, a small Ottawa-based carrier that provided charter services from the Carp Airport near Ottawa, and seasonally in the High Arctic.

In 1973, Bradley formed a new operation called First Air, hiring John Crichton to establish scheduled commercial routes and lead expansion of air service across the North. He developed regular air service from Iqaluit in the eastern Arctic, introduced jet service from Ottawa and expanded turboprop routes in northern Canada.

As Executive Vice President of First Air in the 1980s and early 1990s, John became well known in the industry, and he was regarded as a guiding force behind expansion of air service in northern Canada. He was the face of First Air in the north, visiting Arctic communities and working with customers to create new air services in northern Canada.

In 1994 John left First Air. to become president and CEO of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC). There he was influential on government policy, advising Transport Canada during negotiations that led to the Canada-U.S. Open Skies agreement. The agreement provides for increased service for passengers and cargo between Canada and the United States and delivery to a third country with lowest prices.

As president of ATAC, Crichton spearheaded the privatization of Canada's air traffic control and navigation services when the Canadian government was experiencing difficulty managing this technical and capital-intensive field. He brought together the diverse interests of government, the commercial aviation industry, unions, general aviation and Canada's investment community in the creation of NAV CANADA.

In 1997 John became President and CEO of NAV CANADA and built the corporation into one recognized as one of the most modern and efficient Air Navigation Systems in the world. The corporation now has 4,900 employees at 130 staffed sites across Canada. It is the country's civil air navigation services provider, delivering air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation.

Innovations developed by the corporation include the northern radar program and air traffic management systems. An air traffic surveillance system called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast) provides benefits for aircraft transiting airspace over Hudson Bay, expanding the capacity for this airspace.

ADS-B is a GPS-based system that is effective in remote locations, and can be installed at a fraction of the cost of radar. NAV CANADA began deploying the system over the vast Hudson Bay region, an area of 250,000 square nautical miles flown by international routes, but in that area there was no radar coverage. Implementation of ADS-B results in significant fuel cost savings to airlines by providing more flexible and fuel-efficient routes.

As President and CEO of NAV CANADA, John has presided over the establishment of one of the only fully private air navigation services in the world, which is at the same time subject to Transport Canada safety regulation. In 2010, NAV CANADA was honoured with the Eagle Award from the International Air Transport Association, representing the world's international airlines. The award is given to recognize the Best Air Navigation System Provider. NAV CANADA had previously received the Eagle Award in 2001.

Under John's leadership, NAV CANADA has built a global reputation for safety, efficiency and a wide-ranging program that has seen the company's technology sold on a commercial basis to other air navigation providers. In-house engineering and development talent - working closely with operational employees in the field - continues to develop NAV CANADA'S own proprietary systems. These include trans-oceanic air traffic control systems and an automated tower terminal electronic-flight-strip system and touch screen electronic technology. Such developments have been sold to other air navigation service providers on three continents - North America, Europe and Australia.

In 2006 NAV CANADA received the J.A.D. McCurdy Award from the Air Force Association of Canada for the company's "outstanding achievements in the field of civil aviation in Canada, in particular for the delivery of safe, efficient, and effective civil air navigation services across the country and in international airspace assigned to Canada."

In addition to industry recognition given to NAV CANADA, John Crichton himself has been honoured a number of times. In 2006, he was selected as Transportation Person of the Year by the Transportation Association of Canada, recognizing an industry leader for contribution to the air transportation industry. In 2008, he received the Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award from the Washington, DC-based Air Traffic Control Association for lifelong achievement of an individual in aviation. In 2009 he was awarded the C.D. Howe Award from the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI) for his lasting contributions to Canada's aviation industry.

Canadian senator and former NWT premier Dennis Patterson has written, "While John was Executive Vice President of First Air, he made enormous contributions to advancing air services and thereby enhancing the economic, social and political development of the North. While working in the north, he showed vision and boldness in pioneering new routes and technology which transformed the north."

John's achievements at NAV CANADA, were summed up in an article appearing in the National Post: "A once troubled government asset, the country's civil air traffic controller ... is now a shining example of how to create a global technology leader...NAV CANADA'S efforts have flights moving more efficiently than ever through the skies above the country."

John Crichton is regarded as a skilled and effective manager with a deep understanding of the airline industry and the ability to bring parties together for a common purpose. He and his wife Lynda were married in September 1970 and are the parents of four children - Michael, Mark, David, and Jennifer.

John Crichton was inducted as a member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in Hamilton Ontario in 2011 and in 2014 was awarded the Order of Canada.