Snowbirds Name First Female Commander

May 12, 2010 — Some people are first in line. Others are first born. But Maryse Carmichael has a first no one else can claim. She became the first woman in Canadian history selected to fly with the Snowbirds Aerobatic Team. She was chosen to fly #3 position in November 2000. Last week, however, she added another first to her list of accomplishments. On May 6, she became the first female to become commanding officer of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron as the Snowbirds entered its 40th season. As commanding officer, she is responsible for the administration and overall command of the fleet of Tutor aircraft as well as maintenance and personnel. "This is a proud moment for me to be back with the Snowbirds," said Lt. Col. Carmichael.  "The squadron is such a patriotic symbol for many Canadians." Carmichael flew with the Snowbirds in 2001 and 2002. Still, Carmichael is modest about her new role, telling CBC News that while it’s a first for the Snowbirds, women have already led other squadrons in the Canadian Force. "I don't want to downplay it, it is a fact," she said of being the first. "But really, for me this posting is really about commanding this squadron and commanding the men and women that really represent the Canadian Forces across Canada." Born in Quebec City, Carmichael became an Air Cadet at 13 and got her pilot's license when she was still a teenager. She joined the Canadian Forces in 1990 and completed pilot training in 1994. She has served as a flying instructor and school operations officer, and in Nova Scotia flew the Bombardier-Canadair CE-144 and CC-144 Challenger Aircraft. She has also worked in the VIP transport role, where she flown people such as Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Gov. General Adrienne Clarkson around the world. To date, Carmichael remains the only woman to ever pilot a Snowbirds plane. But she believes that will change one day. "When you're flying and you have a helmet on your head, it doesn't matter whether you're a man or woman,” she told CBC News. “As long as you can stay in formation, the public from the ground doesn't see it so that's the way I see it, too. "I just do what I love to do and I love flying and I'm fortunate enough that it has worked out. But if I can influence not only young girls but boys to follow their passion, then that's great."		Lt. Col. Maryse Carmichael took command of the Snowbirds on May 6, becoming the first woman to ever run the popular aerobatic team in its 40-year history. Photo credit: Troy Fleece/Canadian Press The Snowbirds fly in formation over Niagara Falls. Photo credit: Ken Lin / Snowbirds

• 2010 - 09/03 - Winners Named in Moonbots Competition
• 2010 - 09/03 - New Teen Pilot Flies Solo Cross Country
• 2010 - 09/03 - First Drone Flies Over Fully Formed Hurricane
• 2010 - 08/31 - Twin Astronauts to Rendezvous in Space
• 2010 - 08/26 - NASAs Out of This World High School Engineering Contest