Aviation is such an amazing world! This last decade has seen so many celebrations and historic events recounted.
On December 16th, 1903, the Wright Brothers made history with the first recorded powered flight! In 2003, the whole world came together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this AMAZING event!

February 23, 1909, with men on skates to steady the Silver Dart’s wings, J. A. D. McCurdy pilots the biplane for 0.8 kilo-metres over the ice-covered surface of Baddeck Bay, N.S., completing the first flight in Canada by a powered heavier-than-air machine. In 2009, Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of aviation in the most beautiful country in the world.  The International Air Rally took pilots from all over the world and flew across Canada for the Governor General”s Cup Cross Canada Centennial Flight

March 8th, 1910, Raymonde de Laroche, an experienced French balloonist became the first woman to earn a pilot license. This year, 2010 – The aviation community joins together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women pilots!

All around the world, women and men are working hard together to promote and celebrate this historic event in many ways. Many great people have been putting up events together. Karlene Petitt (twitter: @KarlenePetitt), an airline pilot based in the US has been promoting the event by creating a little online contest as well as a flying event to allow free airplane rides for non-licensed women (Fly it Forward, via Karlene’s amazing blog).

On the other side of the world, Patrick Suess (a Friday Fabulous Flyer!), a German commercial pilot, graciously offered to fly women over Bonn Germany, in honor of the Fly It Forward campaign for  Centennial Of Women Pilots.

In Europe, Africa, North America and Asia, awesome pilots can be found doing their own part to pass on the passion and help introduce more women to the best-ever job & hobby in the world! (A growing list of participants can be found here.)

Along with promoting aviation and flying, many organizations have been created to unite women pilots and help the ones still only dreaming about one day reaching the sky. If you are a woman and dreaming about becoming a pilot, scholarships are available to help you attain your goal. Girls With Wings, as well as Women in Aviation International both offer sponsorship and scholarship programs to women. Girls With Wings also have a volunteer and Role Models programs, enabling women pilots to participate in sharing the passion.

Flight Plan Magazine is a publication that gives voice to the culture and lifestyle of women in all facets of aviation, including flight and cabin crews, ramp workers, mechanics, corporate and commercial flight attendants, air traffic controllers, engineers, business owners, all with a passion for aeronautics.

The Centennial of Women Pilots is now looking to set the event in history by setting it in stone. Literally. Head over to their website for more info about all the things you can do to help contribute to this year’s historic event.

 So now the time has come for you to do your part also! If you are a pilot, wether you’re young or old, man or woman, you can participate! Bring up your lady friends and introduce them to the cockpit of an airplane. If you can manage or afford it, bring them flying, and document the whole adventure with pictures. Once that is done, visit the Centennial of Women Pilots website to submit your info. Et Voila!!! You are officially part of one of the greatest events of the decade. That was easy 🙂

In 2009, I had the immense chance to bring my 5 months old daughter up for her first flight. I ferried a small PA31 Chieftain for a quick 10 minutes flight, leaving Pearson Int’l Airport in Toronto back to our Burlington home base. Strapped in her baby car seat, she enjoyed her first bird-eye’s view of the world and the thrill of flying! Oh, did I mention my wonderful wife was part of the adventure too? Find the pictures below 🙂