Female-Friendly Flying Event Receives National Recognition

Waterloo Region – On March 9, 2013 the Region of Waterloo International Airport, participated in an event lead by the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre to encourage women to explore opportunities in aviation.  Free flights were offered to females of any age who had never flown in a small aircraft.       

During Women of Aviation Week (March 4 – 10, 2013) many events were held worldwide, under the umbrella of the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide.  Many categories of awards were available including ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide’. This title is awarded to the training centre that fosters the most female introductory flights during the week.

Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre, based at the Region of Waterloo International Airport won the world title with 517 flights. The first runner up is Calhoun Air Center based in Victoria, Texas, USA. Rounding out the top three is Rockcliffe Flying Club in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

“The Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre is thrilled to receive the title of ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide’.  It was an honour to be the host venue for the YKF event.” says Maureen Dennie, Communications & Special Events Coordinator for the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre. “I would like to thank everyone that worked so hard to make this event a success, you were all astounding!  To those women and girls that came out for their first flight, we hope you have caught the “flying bug” and look forward to seeing you as student pilots in the future!”

The Region of Waterloo International Airport was awarded 2^nd Runner Up for the 2013 ‘Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport Worldwide’ (airport with most non-pilot girls and women introduced to aviation from March 4 to March 10 2013) with 517 flights.

“On behalf of Regional Council, I am happy to extend congratulations to the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) for its success during Women in Aviation Week 2013,” said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair.  “The WWFC event attracted more than 500 women of all ages who took to the skies to learn about the many exciting career and other opportunities in aviation.”

“This event brought the entire airport community together with the hopes of inspiring just one little girl to perhaps pursue a career in aviation” said Chris Wood, the Airport General Manager at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.  “Volunteer pilots, ground crews, air traffic controllers and all the airport staff worked tirelessly to produce this event, and we are very pleased with the results.  Congratulations to the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre for this tremendous accomplishment.”

The Fly It Forward Challenge was designed for celebrating the international and historical contributions of women to the air and space industry, by promoting the many opportunities that industry offers to women.  By welcoming them with open arms at airports, for one week, they are the majority. Each year, during the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week thousands of girls and women are introduced to aviation through industry-wide collaboration.

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Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is a full service certified facility that supports commercial, corporate and general aviation and is owned and operated by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Scheduled air service is provided by: American Airlines, twice daily to Chicago with connections to over 250 destinations in 40 Countries; WestJet, non-stop daily to Calgary with connections to other great cities; Bearskin Airlines, multiple flights daily to Ottawa.  Sunwing Airlines provide weekly non-stop service to Cancun, Mexico beginning December 2013. For more information contact your travel agent, or visit www.waterlooairport.ca.