Member Profiles
Deborah: Local Charter Assistant Chief Pilot
Deborah is a pilot and Assistant Chief Pilot with a local charter company. She started flying in the late nineties, as a flight instructor. She has worked all over western Canada and the Arctic. She joined Women in Aviation International for two reasons. The first was to get to know other women pilots, since there aren’t very many of them. The second reason was to give back to the aviation community, since it has done so much for her. At this time, she is the Social Chairperson of our local chapter, and she looks forward to our meetings each month as a chance to connect with other women in the industry. The part she likes the best about Women in Aviation International, is that the organization is not just for pilots; it’s for all people involved in all aspects of the industry
Shirlee: Author, Executive Director at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary ...
Shirlee is a charter member of the WAI Rocky Mountain High Chapter, and the author of 14 (soon to be 15) published books for both young and adult readers. Her position of Executive Director at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary complements her writing, as eight of her books focus on Canadian aviation adventures. She frequently gives readings and writing workshops in schools, libraries, at writing conferences, and to various organizations. She has served as a writer-in-residence at schools and colleges and has taught evening writing courses in the fields of children’s literature, short story and memoir writing. See her website for more information (www.ssmatheson.ca)
Brenda: Avionics Technician
Brenda is an avionics technician for a local charter company and has her commercial pilot’s license. She attended SAIT’s Art Smith Aero Centre, won several awards and scholarships as a student, and was valedictorian for the Deptartment of Transportation. Brenda also volunteers with the Calgary Aero Space Museum.
Michelle: Air Quality Scientist, Private Pilot
Michelle has her private pilot’s license. After spending some time contemplating a career as a pilot, she decided to return to university and completed her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, researching topics concerning the interaction between aviation and the environment. She now works as an Air Quality Scientist for an environmental consulting company and is currently the President of the Alberta Rocky Mountain High Chapter. She appreciates the fact that the monthly meetings allow her to stay connected to people in the industry and have fun at the same time.
Lisa: SAIT Avionics Instructor, Aircraft Owner
Lisa is an avionics instructor at SAIT’s Art Smith Aero Centre, as well as the owner of a small airplane. She acts as a mentor for the female students, having worked in the avionics industry for almost 10 years. Lisa has also won several scholarships courtesy of Women in Aviation International and the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance and uses these scholarships to attend continuing education conferences in aviation maintenance.
Gladys-Marie: Glider Pilot, Flight Instructor
Gladys-Marie has been an aviator since birth, as her father was a private pilot and the family owned several light aircraft.
Gladys obtained her private and commercial pilot licenses through the Namao Flying Club and her glider license through the Namao Soaring Club. She was a qualified tow pilot, winch operator, retrieve driver and familiarization glider pilot for Zone 1 Air Cadet League of Canada. She obtained her Class IV Instructor Rating with the Edmonton Flying Club and has continually upgraded, and she now holds a Class I Instructor Rating and a Group I Instrument Rating.
She is currently teaching flight training with the Calgary Flying Club in Calgary, AB and continues to provide aviation education in the community and also volunteers at the Calgary Aero Space Museum.
