Blair's Blog

Women in Aviation, International. Brenda has been involved with the Calgary chapter of the Canadian branch of Women in Aviation for several years, currently as the chapter president. Women in Aviation is a really great organization of individuals that supports and encourages women to consider being part of the aviation world – whether at the level of individual interest or as a career. The Calgary chapter is a super friendly group and includes private and commercial pilots, aircraft maintenance specialists, authors, students, instructors, aircrew, airport staff and those who just have an interest and enthusiasm for all things flying.

giad A month ago, the chapter hosted the day event at the Mount Royal University’ s aviation program hanger at Springbank airport. This event is coordinated around the world with international WAI chapters to occur on the same day – 24 Sept this year. About 75 chapter events were held in 10 countries from Canada to Switzerland and Australia to Zambia. The Calgary event was attended by well over 100 girls who got to chat to women with aviation interest and careers.

Another benefit of the group is that they have developed a good relationship with all sorts of groups and businesses in the aviation sector and are able to get group tours of some really interesting facilities and places. Over the past couple of years there have been tours of the new tower at YYC, Viking’s Twin Otter production facility, the YYC airside equipment center, and just this past week, the Airport Firehall. The group always opens up these types of tours to the families of the members – the joke has become that if there are trucks or food the guys start showing up!