Pilot Training & Pilot Pathways

Join us for this exclusive Air Time Series with Christine Gervias, President and CEO of COPA National, as we celebrate her 1st anniversary as the first female leader of the organization since its creation in 1952. Christine Gervais holds a current commercial pilot licence which she earned with the Ottawa Flying Club’s Professional Pilot Development Program over 20 years ago. A follow-up float endorsement led to the start of her professional aviation career. She has flown the de Havilland Beaver in Northern Ontario, a Grand Caravan from Africa to South America (and many more flights and aircraft in between). She completed her final professional landing as a corporate pilot. Christine brings with her not only significant experience in the field of aviation but also professionalism and leadership skills. Her network has prepared her well to successfully assume the role of COPA’s president and CEO. In addition, her ambition, combined with her professional ethics, exemplifies that she is ready and capable of undertaking new challenges.

Natalie Farand, Vice President of Guest Experience at WestJet, joins us to talk about finding peoples inspirations and supporting their goals. Natalie has a proven track record of success for leading and creating a people-first culture at WestJet and shares her tips on how to find your passion.

Join Sophia Wells, Community Engagement and Mentorship at Elevate Aviation and Tyler Haughey from Level Flight! They'll dive right into the importance of providing more quality and affordable pilot training programs!

Joined by the father-daughter duo Gordon Dupont, Founder of Dirty Dozen, and Renée Dupont-Adam, CEO of System Safety Services, on Aviation-related Safety and How to Avoid Involuntary Errors. Learn more about what safety nets we can put in place to prevent unintentional errors and the effects of COVID-19.

Let’s grow from each other! Join our panel of International women to learn about programs that are available to attract, inspire and empower women in aviation from around the world. Meet our guests from the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Africa!

Join the conversation with Cathy Fraser (Northern Lights Aero Foundation), Sophia Wells (Elevate Aviation), Kim Winsor (The Ninety-Nines, Inc. International Organization of Women Pilots), Iris Dias (Canadian Women in Aviation), and Kristin Long (Women in Aviation International and Girls in Aviation Day) - on the initiatives that are taking place in Canada to inspire and attract Canadian Women in Aviation.

We’re joined by Trish Gilbert, Executive VP of the American National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and heavily advocates for aviation safety. Before being elected as NATCA EVP, Gilbert worked 21 years as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) at Houston Center, and served in many activist roles within the union including Facility Representative, Southwest Region Chair of NATCA’s National Legislative Committee and Chair of the National Legislative Committee. She also chaired NATCA’s National Organizing Committee served as NATCA Charitable Foundation Vice President and then, the Foundation’s President. Join us to hear about Trish’s path from Air Traffic Controller (ATC) to a leader in the Aviation industry.

COVID-19 has affected everyone in many different ways, mentally, physically and financially. Join the conversation with Adam Wright, Jonathan Steinfeld, Travis Whyte, Amie Ullock, Amy Burry, and Lisa and Mark Krzywinski to hear how these everyday aviation professionals turned into entrepreneurs due to the pandemic. Their stories of resilience are real, challenges are heartfelt and triumphs are inspirational.

Only a year ago there were thousands of aircraft flying that could not be seen on radar. Today that problem has been solved with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADSB), allowing for more safe and efficient air travel in Canada. Join us to learn about ADSB from expert Darcy Arnold!

In response to the pandemic, a group of ambitious women aviators sewed masks and transported them along with other essential items to the outer islands of Hawaii since March. Aviators will utilize their skills once again to move mountains and share Christmas cheer! Join us as Rainy Volynska and Nobi Buntin discuss how the Aloha Chapter 99s are setting forth to bring the Christmas spirit to the neighbouring islands of Hawaii and their children this December.