Saskatoon, SK – A group of young girls in Saskatoon are soaring to new heights thanks to a unique opportunity to take free flying lessons.
The program, called “Girls Take Flight,” is a collaboration between the Saskatoon Light Aircraft Flying Club and the Saskatchewan Aviation Council. It aims to introduce girls aged 8 to 18 to the world of aviation and inspire them to pursue careers in the field.
According to the program’s coordinator, Sarah Williams, the idea came from a desire to address the gender gap in the aviation industry. “We noticed that there were very few women in the field of aviation, and we wanted to change that by exposing young girls to the possibilities and opportunities within the industry,” she explained.
The program, which started in 2018, has already seen great success. This year, 20 girls were selected to participate in the program, which includes six weeks of ground school and six hours of flight training. The girls are also given the opportunity to attend aviation events and meet with female pilots and other professionals in the industry.
For many of the girls, this experience has been life-changing. 14-year-old participant, Emily, shared, “I’ve always been interested in flying, but I never thought it was something I could actually do. This program has shown me that it’s possible, and now I’m seriously considering a career in aviation.”
The program has also received positive feedback from parents, who are grateful for the opportunity for their daughters to explore a traditionally male-dominated field. “I think it’s important for girls to see that they can do anything they set their minds to, and this program is a great way to do that,” said parent, Lisa Smith.
The success of “Girls Take Flight” has caught the attention of other organizations, and similar programs are now being implemented in other cities across Canada.
The program’s organizers hope to continue expanding and inspiring more young girls to pursue their dreams in the world of aviation. As Williams stated, “We want to show these girls that the sky is the limit, and they can achieve anything they set their minds to.”
