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Girls of all ages are invited to visit the Lachute Airport on March 11 and discover aviation’s opportunities, connect with industry professionals, and experience a free small aircraft flight.
For its 5th participation in the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week celebration, the Lachute aviation community is inviting girls of any age to visit the Lachute Airport on March 11, 2017, and discover aviation’s opportunities, connect with industry professionals, and experience a free small aircraft flight experience.
Airlines will have a substantial presence at this year’s event. For the third year in a row, Nolinor Aviation will have its Convair and crew on hand to answer questions in Lachute. For the first time, it will also offer a tour of its nearby Mirabel facilities, a chance for the girls to learn everything about flight management, hands-on, and visit the company’s Boeing 737 and 747 aircraft before heading to the Mirabel control tower.
Not to be left behind, Air Inuit is sending Melissa Haney, its first female Inuit captain. She will fly the company’s Dash 8 in Lachute with an all-female crew. Air Canada is sending a contingent of employees to present its various career options.
The theme for the 2017 Women of Aviation Worldwide Week is “Let’s Swirl. 80 years of female helicopter pilots.” To mark the anniversary, the organizers coordinated the presence of Stéphanie Pouliot, Griffon pilot, with the Royal Canadian Air Force. She will fly her helicopter in from Trenton.
Furthermore, Michèle Rivest, Quebec’s first female helicopter pilot who teaches at ENA, will be one of the keynote speakers during the lunch break.
The public is invited to explore all the aircraft at the Lachute Airport and get information about career options and training paths, but girls of any age with no prior small aircraft flight experience will also have the opportunity to go on a free first flight (pre-registration required).
In fact, as many as 170 girls per hour will discover flying onboard small aircraft ranging from ultralights to airplanes, to helicopters.
Should the flying bug bite, local schools such as CQFA, ENA, and others will be on hand to detail the training options. The girls will also have the opportunity to fly an F-16 or a 737 simulator.
“Despite a common belief that this industry is overwhelming masculine, Nolinor wants to show these young women that the doors are opened and that they can choose these careers without a second thought,” said Serge Bernier, security director and investigation/logistics at Nolinor Aviation. “In 2017, Nolinor is delighted to seize the opportunity to pass its passion for aviation onto girls of all ages.”
The “WOAW 2017 at Lachute – Girls Discover Aviation” event takes place on March 11, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 6 rue Ader, Lachute, Que. For more information and to register, visit www.WomenOfAviationWeek.org/location.
