Tsawwassen pilot Mireille Goyer was one of a group of pilots from the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Switzerland who gathered at England's Headcorn Aerodrome and France's Le Touquet Airport earlier this month to celebrate the centennial of the first airplane flight across the English Channel with a woman pilot at the controls, American Harriet Quimby.
Goyer organized the event, which was held during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week.
With an objective of raising awareness of aviation's opportunities among the female population, more than 100 pilots and female passengers boarded ultra lights, modern and vintage airplanes, helicopters, and multi-engines aircraft to travel to the two airports.
One-third of these aircraft flew across the English Channel and, in doing so, established a new record for most females introduced to flying over the English Channel in one day.
"The annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week celebration aims to celebrate the achievements of the women of aviation of the present and the past by taking steps to fulfill their dream: an equal share of the skies for women," said Goyer in a release. "Events such as this one help girls and women realize that aviation is for them too and that their presence in the field is both desired and appreciated."
The celebration of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week began in 2011. Held annually during the week including March 8, which marks International Women's Day and the anniversary of the issuance of the first female pilot licence worldwide, the initiative aims to foster diversity in aviation by celebrating women's history, raising awareness of aviation's opportunities among girls and women, and shaping the future by introducing females to aviation through industry-wide collaboration.
The 2013 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week will take place from March 4 to 10. The 2013 theme will be Women in Space.
For more information about the event, visit www. WomenOfAviationWeek. org.
