WOAW

WOAW Contributed by Jennifer Zadorozniak VFC BOD, Secretary

The first week of March is Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week (WOAW). It is a global aviation awareness week for girls of all ages, observed to mark the anniversary of the world’s first female pilot licence that was granted on March 8, 1910 to Baroness Raymonde de Laroche. This year, events are occurring around the world and being hosted by organizations such as Women in Aviation International, Elevate Aviation, and the Ninety-Nines (99s) International Organization of Women Pilots.

I am proudly an active member with both of these organizations that promote the advancement of women in aviation through education, scholarships and mutual support while honoring our unique history and sharing our passion for flight. I have been very fortunate in the last few years to win some serious scholarship funds through WAI, the BC Aviation Council, Elevate Aviation, and CWIA, which has immensely helped my progress through the PPL, CPL and now IFR training.

Closer to home, the BC Coast 99s chapter meets regularly at the BC Aero Club at CYPK. In addition to regular meetings, the BC Coast 99s host guest speakers (everyone is welcome), flyouts, fundraisers (such as the annual Poker Run raising money for scholarships), and social events.

This past weekend, I hosted the BC Coast 99s fly-out/in to CYYJ. Pilots from Abbotsford and Boundary Bay flew into Victoria to meet up at the BC Aviation Museum. There, Doug Rollins, a skilled librarian and aviation historian, toured the 99s and our guests around the museum sharing insider secrets and fun facts about Canadian and BC history. We were blown away by the museum’s variety of aircraft, volunteers, unique artifacts, demonstrations and kids area. If you have not been lately, it is continually undergoing transformations. If you didn’t know, the museum has a borrowing library with its own Women in Aviation section! Another fun fact, where the current YYJ Terminal sits, used to be a munitions depot during wartime. Afterwards, we had lunch at Mary’s Bleue Moon Café.

Next weekend on March 7th 2020, Glacier Air in Squamish is hosting its 7th Fly it Forward event for women and girls who have never flown in a small aircraft. Flights are free and are offered on a first come, first served basis –you just need to be in Squamish!

If you would like to find out more or join us, check out the website bccoast99s.com. The next BC Coast 99s meeting is April 4, 2020 at 1pm at the BC Aero Club.

Images: Top: Jennifer and mentoree Rosie go for a flight, having met at a BCAC event at the Club on October 17, 2019. Left: Baroness Raymonde de Laroche, in a Voisin aircraft.