Squamish girls and women: want to go for a plane ride or learn more about the aviation industry?
On March 11, Women of Aviation Worldwide, Fly it Forward, returns to Glacier Air.
There will be free airplane rides, female pilots to learn from and inspiring speakers.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glacier Air, located within the Squamish Municipal Airport- Don Patrick Field.
Glacier Air and the BC Coast 99s are co-hosting the Fly it Forward event as part of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week from March 6 to 12.
The event will introduce girls and women who have never flown in a small airplane to the joy of flight with an opportunity to fly for free.
“Most girls and women have never considered a career in aviation or seen themselves as pilots, aircraft mechanics, airport managers, air traffic controllers or any of the endless opportunities available within the aviation and aerospace industry. I want to change that,” said Colette Morin, the owner, chief pilot and flight instructor at Glacier Air, in a news release.
Flights will be offered on a first-come, first-fly basis, but pre-registration is recommended by emailing [email protected] with your full name, age, and weight (for flight planning purposes).
Morin encourages folks to arrive early and plan to spend the day socializing, talking to some amazing women and meeting new friends.
Over the past 12 years, over 400 women and girls have taken their first flight thanks to this event, according to Morin.
Glacier Air has participated in Women of Aviation Worldwide Week events annually since 2011, including hosting a COVID-friendly online event in March of 2021.
The B.C. Coast 99s, is a chapter of The NinetyNines Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots.
They provide the event with airplanes, pilots and volunteers.
“Too many women are not aware of women’s long and rich history of contributions to the industry,” said pilot and aviation educator Mireille Goyer, in the release.
Goyer started the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide as a global initiative to promote aviation awareness and address gender discrimination in the aviation industry.
Goyer hopes more women will see themselves in aviation and pursue it as a career.
Glacier Air has offered flight instruction, air tours and charter flight services out of the Squamish Airport for over 45 years.
Morin said she has helped hundreds of pilots earn their private and commercial licenses. Of those, approximately 12% were women.
“It is better than the national average of 7%, but I still strive for more parity amongst pilots and all aspects of the aviation industry," said Morin.
For more information about this event, or flight training in general, go to Glacier Air’s website GlacierAir.com/ Facebook or Instagram @GlacierAir.
