by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 12:45 PM ET, Mon October 6, 2025
Male pilots outnumber female pilots in Canada by roughly twelve to one.
Twelve to one!
Transport Canada data shows women make up only 5% of pilots, 3% of aircraft maintenance engineers, and 17% of air traffic controllers.
Globally, the aviation sector faces a growing talent shortage as demand for air travel climbs—making the presence and progress of women in the industry more potent than ever.
“Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take off! But if you don’t have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself and for those who will follow after you.” — Amelia Earhart
Behind the statistics and inspirational quotes, organizations supporting aspiring female aviators work tirelessly to create mentorship opportunities, inspiring the next generation of girls to take flight.
The Elsies
Each fall, the Northern Lights Aero Foundation Gala, known simply as the Elsies, shines a spotlight on the women breaking barriers and shaping the future of Canadian aviation.
Named for Elsie MacGill, the world’s first female aircraft designer and the first woman in Canada to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, the awards honour leaders across aviation and aerospace.
The Northern Lights Gala has become a platform for visibility, mentorship, and change—values shared by the broader travel and tourism community.
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TravelPulse Canada’s managing editor attends the gala each year and has previously served as the narrator for the evening.
The event offers a front-row view of the progress women continue to make in a sector that is still striving for balance.
“The 2025 ‘Elsie’ recipients represent the diversity of the industry-wide roles in which women are natural leaders and role models who inspire and support their colleagues to excel in aviation and aerospace,” said Lynne McMullen, president of the foundation.
Dreams Take Flight
Denise Egglestone, recipient of the 2025 Trailblazer Award.
A licensed commercial pilot and Amelia Earhart Scholarship recipient, Denise Egglestone retired from Air Canada after a career as one of the airline's first female flight dispatchers and ground school instructors.
Denise Egglestone (Photo Credit: Northern Lights Aero Foundation)She has since devoted her time to helping others soar—serving as president of Dreams Take Flight, which coordinates with agencies across Canada to give children the opportunity to experience Disney.
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She also serves on the board of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and as a member of Air Canada’s Special Assistance Team.
In her acceptance speech, Egglestone reflected on a career defined not by titles, but by service.
“I hope my story shows that doors can be opened, barriers can be broken, and perseverance really does matter,” she said.
“I accept this honour with gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to continue serving, mentoring, and giving back in every way that I can.”
Honouring Legacy, Fueling Ambition
While the evening celebrated progress, it also carried moments punctuated with emotion.
A new scholarship was introduced in honour of Captain Christina Thomson, a WestJet pilot and union representative who tragically lost her life in December 2023 to intimate partner violence.
“There is a profound comfort knowing we can carry forward her essence, her resilience, her immense love, and the fire within her that exists in us all,” said her brother, Air Canada Capt. Ruarri Thomson.
The scholarship will support women in flight training who demonstrate the same courage and leadership that defined her career.
Christina Thomson ALPA Scholarship (Photo Credit: WestJet)“Captain Thomson was a trusted voice for our pilots and a champion of women in aviation,” said Samantha Taylor, WestJet executive VP and chief experience officer.
“The impact she had on so many of our colleagues and on our company is profound and I have been deeply inspired by the stories shared about her legacy.”
The Foundation also announced the sixth annual Captain Judy Cameron Scholarships, supported by Air Canada and CAE, awarding $5,000 each to eight recipients—seven pilots and one Aircraft Maintenance Engineer—recognized for their accomplishments and mentorship.
“Meeting scholarship recipients at the Northern Lights gala each year is the highlight of the evening for me,” said Judy Cameron, retired Air Canada Boeing 777 Captain.
“These young women are the future of aviation. They have not only shown determination and excellence in their training, but they have also encouraged other women by mentoring and volunteering.”
Autumn, a young aspiring pilot, says her hero, retired Air Canada Capt. Judy Cameron, makes a point to check in on her progress. (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty)
This year, the gala introduced a special table for young aspiring female pilots, giving them the chance to connect with each other and be inspired by the women leading the industry. One 15-year-old from Ontario, Autumn, who attends every girls can fly event she can, described the gala as a yearly highlight. She said she’s been encouraged by every female pilot she’s met and is always welcomed with hugs.
Her hero, retired Air Canada Captain Judy Cameron, takes the time to chat with her at every event and follow her progress—proving that the drive to inspire doesn’t retire.
From Elsie MacGill’s trailblazing in the 1930s to today’s growing presence of women in aviation, those who dream of blue skies and tailwinds continue to lead by example—proving that if you can see it, you can be it.
As Amelia Earhart famously said, "Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?’”
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