Amidst the growing concerns over the global pilot shortage, organizations that champion diversity in aviation have emerged as a part of the solution. Women have historically been underrepresented in aviation - a vast, untapped potential to contribute to the industry.
Open Jaw’s (OJ) Natasha McKenty has been involved with organizations such as Elevate Aviation (Elevate) and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF), which are spearheading a change in an industry where less than seven percent of commercial pilots are women.
Elevate and NLAF shine a spotlight on the achievements of women in the field but also provide essential mentorship and resources to inspire and train the next generation of female aviators. By actively supporting women and underrepresented groups, these female-led groups help bridge the aviation gender gap.
Elevate Aviation
The annual Elevate Aviation "Inspire" gala was held on 14OCT 2023 at the Edmonton International Airport (YEG). The event hosted a record 400 guests comprised of aviation professionals.
According to Elevate, the "Inspire" gala serves as a platform to honour women who have made their mark in the aviation sector while raising money to support Elevate Aviation's programs. The initiatives include mentorship and bursary programs, a cross-country tour, and the Elevate Aviation Learning Centre.
The foundation's CEO and CFO, Laura Sinclair, told Open Jaw this year's event was their best attended to date. "We had aerial bartenders serving welcome champagne, a tunnel with an AI avatar greeting people as they walked in, we had massive sparklers go off to kick off the show. Drones flew all around the crowd during the show. Every dollar raised is invested back into our organization, propelling our mission forward: to provide platforms for women and underrepresented groups to excel in aviation."
Elevate's Founder and CEO Kendra Kincade (a NAV Canada air traffic controller) added, "We are passionate about promoting diversity and empowering women into aviation. Fundraising initiatives like these allow us to provide more opportunities and more support for women to excel in this industry."
This year's theme, "Future of Aviation," highlighted the journeys of eight women from varied aviation careers, including pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance, engineering professionals, and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) members.
Open Jaw Attends Elsie MacGill Awards Dinner
In addition to Elevate Aviation, the Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF) was established in 2009 by Anna Pangrazzi, President at Apex Aircraft Sales Ltd. and a select group of the International Organization of Women Pilots. This group spearheads the Elsie MacGill Awards dinner, an event that has expanded from a mere few dozen attendees to a gathering of over 600 guests.
Born in Vancouver, Elsie MacGill, is celebrated as the world's first female aircraft designer. Among her notable achievements, she designed the Maple Leaf II and played an instrumental role in the production of the Hawker Hurricane in Canada during World War II.
According to OJ's McKenty, “The room buzzed with female aviators, industry leaders, and a contagious positive energy mirrored by the passion of the foundation's CEO and founder, Pangrazzi.”
"Our consistent goal has been to spotlight the accomplishments of women in aviation, inspiring young women. With over 200 sponsored students present this year, we believe we're setting the foundation for a diverse industry future," Pangrazzi told OJ.
The Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship was awarded in honour of Judy Cameron, a pioneer who was Air Canada's first female pilot in 1978 at the age of 23.
Air Canada pledges CAD $20,000 annually to the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, benefiting young women pursuing careers in aviation—like commercial piloting or aircraft maintenance—who might not have the necessary financial resources. "There are no glass ceilings here. Capable women with the required skills and knowledge fly high at Air Canada, working as pilots flying the most sophisticated aircraft globally, as engineers maintaining technologically advanced airplanes and systems, and in specialized, multidisciplinary airline operations," stated a representative from Air Canada.
"As the scholarship goes into its fourth year, it is wonderful to hear the success stories of former recipients. Two women are flying as First Officers, another is a fire patrol pilot, and two more are flight instructors. Thank you to Air Canada and CAE for helping to make their dreams a reality,” said Cameron.
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs at Air Canada, said, "We know how crucial this support is to young women seeking non-traditional aviation careers, and we have seen results first-hand from the success of past winners."
Cameron, who attends the annual NLAF gala to hand out the scholarships herself, retired in 2015 and received the Elsie MacGill Northern Lights award in the Flight Operations category that year. In 2016, she was chosen by the 99s (International Organization of Women Pilots) to be on its Canadian postage stamp.
While Elevate and the NLAF collaborate closely to champion diversity in the aviation sector, airlines have actively joined this mission across the country by backing numerous "Girls Can Fly" initiatives. Female pilots volunteer at these events, providing mentorship to girls aged 8-18. Participants can experience the flight deck, handle flight simulators, and explore hangars teeming with industry professionals.
Stacey Jackson, a WestJet pilot and recipient of the 2020/2021 NLAF Elsie Award in the "Flight Operations" category, dedicates her non-flying time to attending mentorship events. Speaking to OJ, she emphasized the importance of such outreach, saying it's "imperative to inspiring the next generation."
"We see so many young girls get excited about the different career options, and it's obvious that they have found their new passion."
Jackson added that outreach is one of her "top priorities."
Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned, "Twenty-five years ago, I found it challenging to find a mentor I connected with, so throughout my career, I've tried to be the mentor to other aviators that I wish I had had."
Porter Airlines says its "Women Soar at Porter (WSP - Porter)" initiative aims to bridge the gender gap within all areas of the organization. The airline is hosting a "Girls in Aviation Day" event at its Toronto Pearson hangar on NOV25. "Female pilots are an important visible representation of WSP – Porter." The airline currently boasts the highest percentage of female pilots in Canada at 13 percent.
In May 2024, Elevate is set to host its 8th annual cross-country tour. Dedicated female aviators will journey across 30 cities, aiming to ignite a passion for aviation amongst Canada's youth. Spanning the nation, the tour will make stops at airports and military bases, offering guest talks, lunches, and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, all without any cost to participants. This commitment shines a light on the idea that aviation's future isn't just about technological advancements—it's about harnessing the unique potential of every individual. Echoing the words of Amelia Earhart, "There's more to life than being a passenger."
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