One of AirSprint’s key tenants is to be a good corporate citizen. To give back to the communities we live in while also fostering relationships through respect and fairness.
Aviation is an exciting industry. It’s one of those things that gets into your blood – and once it does, it will be there for life. AirSprint Private Aviation is proud to support women in the field and the organizations which are helping their dreams come true.
In the Canadian aviation industry women make up only about five percent of all pilots*. In the United States and the UK women make up only about four percent of all pilots. While this number is growing, it’s doing so at a slow pace and with Boeing predicting a need for 635,000 new pilots in the next twenty years, the opportunity for women in the aviation sector has never been greater.
AirSprint proudly employees 160 pilots 21 of which are women**.
In the Canadian aviation industry women make up only about five percent of all pilots. In the United States and the UK women make up only about four percent of all pilots*. While this number is growing, it’s doing so at a slow pace and with Boeing predicting a need for 635,000 new pilots in the next twenty years, the opportunity for women in the aviation sector has never been greater.
AirSprint proudly employees 160 pilots 21 of which are women**. For most of our pilots, the desire to become a pilot started at a young age.
“I was 13 in Air Cadets when I heard about the opportunities available within Air Cadets to pursue a private pilot license scholarship,” said Vancouver based pilot Nina Shan. “From there I participated in weekend flying with Cadets and fell in love with it then. The first time I decided I wanted to become a pilot and pursue it as a career was when I flew solo for the first time in a glider plane.”
“My father was always supportive of me becoming a pilot. He would take me to the airport to watch airplanes takeoff and land on the weekends. It was inspiring from a young age to see and hear the planes and wonder where their destination might be,” said Shan.
For pilot Kelsey Nattall, the love of adventuring started at a young age.
“I think the first moments that sparked my interest is when I was still very young, probably around 5 years of age. I was a very active kid and loved to climb trees, I always enjoyed the view from above, and as I became older, I found out there was a job that could continuously give me those views,” said Nattall.
Heather Post, Legacy 450 Captain knew she wanted to become a pilot when she was a teenager. After going up for an intro flight in Kanata, she fell in love with flying.
For these women, their love of flying only grew as they got older and their experience has lead them to becoming pilots for AirSprint where Shan currently flies a Embraer Legacy 450 and Nattall flies the Cessna Citation CJ3+.
“My most memorable flight would be my first solo as a glider pilot. I was overwhelmed with excitement and nerves at first, but when I was released from the tow plane at 3000 feet and took my first turn, I knew this was something I could do for the rest of my life,” recalls Nattall.
Shan remembers one of her first flying experiences as stressful but rewarding.
Meet some of AirSprint's Women in Aviation
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Heather Post | Captain, Embraer Legacy 450
Heather Post
Captain E550, Embraer Legacy 450
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
St. Jacobs, Ontario. - How long have you been a pilot and, what type of aircraft do you currently fly?
I got my private license in 2005. I currently am a Captain on the Embraer Legacy 450. - Do you recall when was the first time you decided you wanted to become a pilot?
Did you have a special person in your life who inspired you to become a pilot?
When I was a teenager. I got to go up in a Katana for an intro flight and I loved it. My dad was who inspired me to become a pilot.
Heather during one of her first solo flights.
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Do you have a special memory about your first flight – or a special flight - you’d want to share?
I took my parents and my boyfriend (now husband) on a flight in a C172 to Killarney for the best fish and chips! -
What is your favourite part of being involved in private aviation/being a professional pilot?
Getting to see so many neat places. I think I go somewhere I have never been every single rotation. -
What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot?
Don’t give up, don’t doubt yourself and let your confidence shine through! You can be a pilot and a mother too!
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
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Karen Smiley | Captain, Cessna Citation CJ3+
Karen Smiley
Captain C525B, Citation CJ3+
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
Calgary, Alberta - How long have you been a pilot and, what type of aircraft do you currently fly?
I have been a pilot for almost 10 years and started out by getting my glider pilots license when I was 16. I currently fly the Cessna Citation CJ3+. - Do you recall when was the first time you decided you wanted to become a pilot?
Did you have a special person in your life who inspired you to become a pilot?
Flying did not seem attainable for me when I was younger as the cost to go to school was more than what my family could afford, and I was not aware of Air Cadets and different ways to obtain my license.
I did not have anyone that I even knew that was a pilot, or how to start to become one. So I just started, I gained grants, savings and help from my parents and initially got my Commercial Helicopter License. That was back in 2008. Since then, I went to school for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Commercial Fixed Wing, have flown Citation Jets and currently fly the Embraer Legacy 450 and Citation CJ3+ for AirSprint.
Karen's taxiing in Toronto International Airport (CYYZ). Photo: D.Wilson
- Do you have a special memory about your first flight – or a special flight - you’d want to share?
What I love about my career is that I feel I am part of a team. - What is your favourite part of being involved in private aviation/being
a professional pilot?
Team work. Co-workers and management are supportive and everyone works together and does their part to create a complete private aviation experience for our clients. - What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot?
My advice for any girls dreaming of being a pilot... There are going to be good days and hard days. Remember to enjoy the journey because even the hardest struggles are now some of my fondest memories. An open mind, positive attitude, and a healthy work ethic will get you almost anything in life.
Want to find out more about Karen? Click HERE for more.
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
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Nina Shan | Captain, Cessna Citation CJ3+
Nina Shan
Captain, Cessna Citation CJ3+
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
Vancouver, British Columbia
- How long have you been a pilot and, what type of aircraft do you currently fly?
I graduated as a pilot back in 2015 and have been flying for a total of 11 years.
- Do you recall when was the first time you decided you wanted to become a pilot?
Did you have a special person in your life who inspired you to become a pilot?
I believe I was 13 in Air Cadets that I heard about the opportunities available within Air Cadets to pursue a private pilot license scholarship. From there I participated in weekend flying with Cadets, and fell in love with it. The first time I decided I wanted to become a pilot and pursue it as a career was when I flew by myself (solo) for the first time in a glider plane. My father was always supportive of me becoming a pilot. He would take me to the airport to watch airplanes takeoff and land on weekends. It was inspiring from a young age to see and hear the planes and wonder where their destination might be.
- Do you have a special memory about your first flight – or a special flight - you’d want to share?
On my very first flight in a small 2 seater aircraft, I remember being so scared I didn't even want to talk to my friends who were congratulating me. The first solo flight is usually about 15 minutes of taxiing and 10 minutes of flying so it's not long. I remember telling myself to focus and don't screw it up. Just have to focus for 25 minutes! It was so nerve wracking and tense but the feeling after shutting down the plane was amazing. Though it was just a short flight I felt like I had just gone through hours worth of stress. It was such a rewarding experience.
- What is your favourite part of being involved in private aviation/being
a professional pilot?
My favourite part about private aviation is the fact that we are always visiting new places and new airports. The interactions with clients is fun too. It's nice to build rapport with some VIP clients and then remember your name. My favourite part about being a professional pilot in general is definitely flying the planes.
The Legacy is so smart and intuitive in it's design. I love being a pilot because I am able to control such a fine and complex piece of machinery. The plane is the best part.
Nina after a flight into Montreal (CYUL)
- What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot?
My number one advice is when things start to get tough and you want to quit then remember that the only through the hardship will you begin to reap the rewards. I think every occupation has it's own difficulties and troubles but in aviation we are faced with constant check-ups or exams to ensure we are at the top of our game. Those exams and flight tests can get stressful and difficult and it's easy to think about quitting. But, once you decide to work even harder, then that will be the beginning off the rewards you will soon reap.
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
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Zeina Ellahib | Captain, Cessna Citation CJ3+
Zeina Ellahib
Captain Cessna Citation CJ3+
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
Lebanon - How long have you been a pilot and, what type of aircraft do you currently fly?
I’ve been a pilot for seven years. I have 2900 hours total. I currently fly a Cessna Citation CJ3+.
TBT to her Seneca days, Zeina flying over the mountains.
- Do you recall when was the first time you decided you wanted to become a pilot?
Did you have a special person in your life who inspired you to become a pilot?
First time wanting to be a pilot is when my friend took me up for a fun flight and that’s when I knew I wanted to Pursue a career in aviation. There is a special person who has inspired me to become a professional pilot and her name is Doris Giles. She has done a lot for the industry and has flown a lot of different types of planes. She has helped me though my aviation journey. - Do you have a special memory about your first flight – or a special flight - you’d want to share?
A special memory of mine was flying to Oshkosh. At the time when I was a flight instructor I organized a mission flight to fly to Oshkosh. I selected three students that would come along with me on this journey. We briefed a week before the flight and we briefed the day of the flight. As soon as we got to Oshkosh we had to stay in a hold and just listen to our call sign to leave the hold. Once our call sign was called to leave the hold and to start our approach we had to rock our wings to acknowledge. We were number 50 to land. And when we landed there was a plane landing in front of us and a plane landing behind us and we immediately had to exit the runway. It was such a fun experience. - What is your favourite part of being involved in private aviation/being
a professional pilot?
My favourite part of being involved in private aviation is the adventure. Where we go and who we meet has been an incredible experience. - What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot?
My number one advice to young girls becoming pilots is stay strong. Working hard, staying strong, wanting to grow is the key to a successful journey.
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
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Jordan Van den Brink | First Officer, Cessna Citation CJ3+
Jordan Van den Brink
First Officer, Cessna Citation CJ3+
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
Wetaskiwin, Alberta - How long have you been a pilot and, what type of aircraft do you currently fly?
I have been a pilot for over ten years, flying professionally for two years. I currently fly a Citation CJ3+ and a Piper Super Cub.
- Do you recall when was the first time you decided you wanted to become a pilot?
Did you have a special person in your life who inspired you to become a pilot?
As a teenager, one of my first jobs was selling scenic flight tours at a museum. Although I loved flying, I didn’t see aviation as an attainable career due to the high training costs. After my first ride in an open-cockpit biplane and encouragement from the company owner, I was inspired to pursue a career as a pilot. - Do you have a special memory about your first flight – or a special flight - you’d want to share?
While flying the biplane, I often met people who had never been in an airplane. Seeing their enthusiasm while being involved in their first fight experience was incredibly rewarding and deepened my appreciation for aviation. - What is your favourite part of being involved in private aviation/being
a professional pilot?
My favourite part of being involved in private aviation is the variety of destinations. Being a professional pilot means constantly learning, as it is both a challenging and rewarding career. I have met some fantastic people along the way as well. - What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot?
Be humble. Be kind. Work hard. Like anything in life, there will be good and bad days. Surround yourself with supportive people, and don’t forget to celebrate the small accomplishments. Hour building can be a grind, or some of the most fun you’ve ever had in an airplane- it’s your choice!
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
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Ritchelle Villanueva | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Ritchelle Villanueva
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
Calgary, Alberta - How long have you been a maintenance engineer, what type(s) of aircraft do you currently help support?
I’ve been an AME for 3 years but I’ve been in the industry for about 6 years. I’m currently maintaining a fleet of Cessna Citation CJ2/3 and Embraer Legacy/Praetor. I was also a ramp attendant before I started my apprenticeship training. I had the chance to learn to in’s and out’s of the industry ahead of time. It was a great training opportunity. - What is your favourite part of being an AME?
Everyday is different and you are constantly learning new things. The pace is fast so you have to be on your toes all the time. Some people shy away from that type of pressure-packed environment but I actually enjoy it. There is no better feeling than fixing a problem after you’ve been troubleshooting for hours (sometimes even days!) It’s very fulfilling. I enjoy the challenge! - Do you recall when was the first time you decided you wanted to get involved in aviation?
Times have changed a lot but when I was younger, the idea of being a female pilot or a female maintenance engineer was never presented to me. When I thought of aviation and pilots, I always pictured male figures. Aviation was not my first choice but I’ve always been interested in airplanes. I was a senior in high school when I made the decision. I guess I really wanted to challenge myself so I went for it. The passion came shortly after that. I know it’s backwards but I don’t regret it :)
Inspiring sunset capture by Ritchelle at the hangar.
- Did you have a special person in your life who inspired you to do this?
I remember seeing photos of female pilots on social media a few years ago. It was the nudge and motivation I needed to really go after it. If they can do it, so can I. - What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of being involved in the aviation industry?
Keep an open mind and appreciate the little things. Life in aviation is not always glamorous so make sure you are always having fun. Celebrate your little wins, your first flight, changing your first aircraft component or whatever it may be. Don’t think of it as a job; always think of it as a passion.
- Can you tell us your name and where are you from?
Heather Post | Captain, E550
What would be your number one advice for young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot? Don’t give up, don’t doubt yourself and let your confidence shine through! You can be a pilot and a mother too!!
Zeina Ellahib | Captain, CJ3+
"Zeina's number one advice to young girls becoming pilots is stay strong. Working hard, staying strong, wanting to grow is the key to a successful journey."
Jordan Van den Brink | First Officer, CJ3+
"My favourite part of being involved in private aviation is the variety of destinations. Being a professional pilot means constantly learning, as it is both a challenging and rewarding career."
Karen Smiley | Captain, CJ3+
"Karen Smiley didn’t do a lot of travelling when she was a kid, but seeing the world has always been on her “someday” list. She thought about being a flight attendant, but then realized it would be exciting to sit up front as the pilot."
Nina Shan | First Officer, E550
"My favourite part about being a professional pilot in general is definitely flying the planes. The Legacy is so smart and intuitive in it's design. I love being a pilot because I am able to control such a fine and complex piece of machinery."
Ritchelle Villanueva | AME
"Keep an open mind and appreciate the little things. Celebrate your little wins, your first flight, changing your first aircraft component or whatever it may be. Don’t think of it as a job; always think of it as a passion."
“On my very first flight in a small two-seater aircraft I remember being so scared I didn’t even want to talk to my friends who were congratulating me. The first solo flight is usually about 15 minutes of taxiing and 10 minutes of flying, so it’s not long. I remember telling myself to focus and don’t screw it up. Just have to focus for 25 minutes! It was so nerve wracking and tense but the feeling after shutting down the plane was amazing. Though it was just a short flight I felt like I had just gone through hours’ worth of stress. It was such a rewarding experience,” said Shan.
Ultimately, there is nothing stopping any young girl from becoming a pilot. Citation CJ3+ Captain, Karen Smiley from Calgary says even though there will be bumps along the way, they are worth it.
Legacy 450 | Heather Post (PIC) and Karen Smiley (SIC) over the Caribbean.
When asked what would be the number one advice she'd give to young girls dreaming of becoming a pilot, Heather wants girls to remember not to give up, leave doubts behind and let their confidence shine through! Also she wants girls to know that they can be a pilot and a mother too!
Heather's son, Hayden visits her after one of her flights in Midland.
“What I love about my career is that I feel I am part of a team. There are going to be good days and hard days. Remember to enjoy the journey because even the hardest struggles are now some of my fondest memories. An open mind, positive attitude, and a healthy work ethic will get you almost anything you want in life,” said Smiley.
Sentiments echoed by Nattall.
“There is no goal too big or dream too high to achieve. If you put your mind and heart into it, you are already halfway there. Make sure you work hard and don't let any failures set you back, failure is our best teacher.”
What Might Your Business Aviation Career Look Like?
While everyone’s pilot career develops differently, it’s also true that hard work and dedication are the foundations of success in the aviation industry. More AirSprint pilots share real life stories about how their careers took shape.
* As of 2018. ** As of March, 2023
Feeling Inspired? Ready for a Future in Private Aviation?