Photo Gallery

In May members of the Toronto chapter had a tour of the Weather Network. Meteorologist Paul Adams described how they use all available information, including satellite images, radar, automated weather stations, and local effects, as building blocks to predict the weather. Specialized weather forecasts are prepared for customers in the construction and agricultural industries. On air personalities receive a full briefing from the meteorologists prior to each shift and they are updated throughout the day. Deanna Langton took us through the broadcasting studio where we all had a chance to do our very own weather segments in front of the green screen.

In February Toronto members attended a presentation by Domenic Capotorto of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority's Canine Unit. The Unit performs many tasks including: random searches in all areas of the airport including baggage areas, explosives vapor detection, perimeter patrol, examination of unattended bags and assisting with VIP movements. Quest and his handler, Don Messen, performed a practice search for us. When Quest smelled explosives he gave passive confirmation by sitting down and then was rewarded with his favorite toy.

Toronto WAI members were fortunate to have a tour of the Air Canada Cabin Simulator. Training Specialist, Jeremy Fechner demonstrated and discussed flight attendant respones to emergency situations including cabin fires and emergency evacuations.

Toronto WAI members Lisa Graham, Asti Livingston, Linda Stericker, Suzanne Hart and Lora Yowell were joined by members of the 99's and students and instructors from Seneca College assisted 42 Girl Guides to successfully complete their Aeronautics badge. Seneca College generously allowed our group to use their aircraft, hangar and classroom to expand the Guides aviation knowledge.

Winnipeg chapter participated in the annual fly in barbeque at Lyncrest airport. WIA supplied the food and in return we all received free flights. It was a great night for flying... the event was a success.

During the Manitoba Aviation councils annual meeting members had the opportunity to meet Bjarni Tryggvason who is a Canadian astronaut and listen to his interesting stories of space travel. Another highlight was the chance to listen to Capt. Bob Peirson's story of gliding a 767 into Gimli Manitoba.

WIA was quite involved with this years MAC meeting. We were in charge of introducing guests, handing out gifts, selling auction tickets and helping out with many other tasks that were assigned to us. One of the highlights was having the opportunity to meet and talk to Rosella Bjornson. She really enjoyed coming to YWG she said and being able to meet young females in the industry was really exciting for her. We all enjoyed listening to her stories and her advice.

Perimeter Aviation in YWG was willing to let us hold a barbeque. The weather was hot.. the passengers were plenty and it led to a successful fundraiser.

Captain Rosella Bjornson and First Officer Lee O'Riley on their Pink Zip B737 (how perfect!). Almost an entire female crew. Rosella told us "It (this flight with Lee) was the first time since I was hired (by an airline) in 1973 that I had flown with another female airline pilot. When I was with Canadian Airlines, we had 12 female pilots and Air Canada before the merger had 60 female pilots. They have since hired a few so I think Air Canada had about 80 female pilots out of 3200 males. In Edmonton we have a total of 50 pilots and I am the only woman."
Rosella adds, "Lee was so nice - she said I was her mentor and that I was her inspiration. We met each other at the first Canadian Women In Aviation Conference in Vancouver in 1990 ( at Trinity Western University) when she was working on her Commercial License."

We had to go all the way up to Grouse Mountain to find snow (!) but it was great! Terrific view of the city, snow sculpture, reindeer, and good food in the pub. Vicky T, Vicky F, Vanessa C and Marcia S (plus some guests!) had a good time!

The highlight of our tour of Toronto's Central De-ice Facility was a ride in the de-icing cabs. We also learned that Toronto has the largest facility of it's kind and every drop of de-icing fluid is captured to be disposed of in environmentally friendly ways. The Bay Manager showed us the automation of the de-ice pad which guides aircraft through the area using sensors in the pad and digital sign boards.

The Dunk Tank was a great success! Lots of participation and interest. Big thanks to those WAI members who went in the tank on the rather cool temperature days! Pictured above are: Mazy Baker, Robyn Stewart, Vicky Farkas and the crowds of onlookers.

I just returned from this gig last night. It was fantastic!
Our 3-person crew (star & pilot: John Lovelace; cameraman: Les; co-pilot: me) flew in the Wings-Over-Canada C-185 floatplane (C-FUIE) up the BC coast, into southeastern Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and through the Rockies back home to Fort Langley, BC, last night. We covered about 3500 miles in the 3-week period and I was able to log about 40 hours of flying time. (very cool!) During that time, we shot film for 6 episodes of next season's "Wings Over Canada" TV series. What a great experience! I'll attach a couple photos of 2 of my favorite experiences -- seeing lots of Beaver floatplanes and flying for air-to-air photo shoots.
I learned tons about flying in the bush, flying floatplanes, and what it
takes to film a TV show.

Cheers,
Leslee Probasco

The Vancouver Chapter of Women in Aviation visited Helijet, North America's only scheduled helicopter service, on a brilliantly sunny and warm June 5th, 2003. We were toured at their Vancouver Airport base by 2 of Helijet's pilots (and WAI members) Angie Haywood and Myra Van Otterloo. Over a dozen of us filled their boardroom to standing room only as we began the tour with a brief overview of Helijet's fleet and their accomplishments. In the hangar we got to crawl all over 6 aircraft, that included a Sikorsky S76, two Robinson R22s, and the company's newest edition, their Beech 1900, which is their first Fixed Wing addition to the fleet! (Note that the person seen on top of the S76 is a mechanic, not an overzealous WAI member!) Their 1900 is being used to fly from Abbotsford, to Campbell River, down to Boeing Field in Washington State. Everyone had a terrific time, learned a lot (i.e. I didn't know that the main rotor and tail rotor were interconnected?!) and really appreciated the time that Angie and Myra spent with us. Many thanks to you both!

Many thanks to Jill Oakes and her husband who provided us with the experience of a life-time. The winter-survival course out at the Delta Marsh Field Station March 8/9 was well prepared and presented, and everyone left with the feeling that they could survive a few days in the coldest and most hostile weather conditions if ever they had to. Here are some pictures that were taken on the winter survival course. As most of you remember, the daytime high was -20, and the night time low was -33. I don't even remember what the wind-chill factor was, but it was COLD! Jill assured us that the conditions were absolutely perfect for the purpose of the course. We later realized that she was right! We were taught to build igloos and qhuinzhees; and we learned about food, water, & survival kits to have if traveling in remote areas during the winter. Surprising most of us, we endured the whole day and even spent the night in the igloos we built! Jill had brought caribou lined jackets, mittens, and boots, and there were even waterproof seal skin garments! As you can see from the photos, after an hour most of us had ditched our high-tech Gore-Tex for traditional Inuit garments. We were all most impressed with the warmth the clothing provided and how comfortable they were to work in. Even though we were shedding Caribou fur for the next week! If you were wondering who you were looking at in the pictures, those who attended the course were: Katie Childerhose, Kristin McMahon, Christene Ostapczuk, Debbie Warren, Aurie Doerksen and her mother, and Sandra Zemlak. If you wanted to take the course but were not available to attend, or if you have changed your mind after seeing these photos and think that you would like to spend the night in an igloo, you're in luck! Jill has offered to provided the course to Northern Spirit again in the new year. More information to come next fall. Special thanks to Katie Childerhose who did a marvelous job organizing this last-minute adventure. Thank you Katie!

"Come Fly With Us" - The latest WAI outreach endeavor arranged by the Sea to Sky chapter was a huge success. What was it all about? In February WAI members Marcia Strang and Lee O'Riley were asked to put together a fun filled session promoting careers in Aviation for a group of Surrey students attending a conference on post-secondary options. Members Nicole Barnes, Angie Haywood, Kim McPherson, Jen Pritchard and Robyn Stewart were on hand to help out and speak about their various experiences working as a safety analyst, pilot, flying instructor, and engineer within the industry. The session began with a brainstorming exercise to list all of the jobs involved in the aviation industry. You'd be surprised how many different occupations make our industry run smoothly. AME's, Pilots, airline food caterers, airport managers - - the list went on and on! The students then had to search out the answers to questions relating to the experiences, hobbies, occupations, etc that have shaped each of the WAI members participating. This was a great exercise and each of us took the chance to talk about one of our experiences and what we learned from it. It really showed the students that they have to follow their instincts and do what they are passionate about, whether it is aviation or something else. The session ended with a game of Aviation Jeopardy, where the class was split in two and they had a chance to answer some aviation related trivia questions for treats! The students had a blast and the organizers have asked us to return next year and do two sessions! Thanks to everyone who went and everyone who helped set it up but couldn't go - - it was a very successful event!

"We had a great time learning the basics of whitewater Kayaking in January, that started with us sitting in a kayak in Nicole's living room! You can see Tracy B. in the Kayak, with Nicole helping, and Looking on from the couch is Lisa Pike, Vanessa Columbo and James (one of the many volunteer instructors, who's head we chopped off in the pic!), and Cameron (another volunteer instructor) on the other couch.
Once at the pool, we had to don the rubber "skirts" to seal the water out of our Kayaks. Lyndsey, Allison and Lee O'Riley are "modeling" the latest in fashion by the pool side.
It was then time to actually get in the Kayaks, and get in the Pool! There's Nicole giving the first instructions to her intrepid students Lisa Pike, Marcia and Gavin Strang. Then Gavin, Liz Campbell and Marcia give it a go, and pretty much run into each other! We eventually figured it out......!
Mazy Baker shows excellent form as one of the other instructors (and WAI member) Barb MacLean shows her how.
Great amount of thanks to Nicole and Barb for arranging the kayaks, the equipment, and the excellent instructors. A huge Thank You to Christina Frey for getting us the great deal on the use of the pool! We all had a terrific time!"

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