Snowbirds: The Pause Part 1: Flying the CT-114 Tutor and Becoming the First Female Jet Demonstration Pilot - Maryse Carmichael

Before she commanded the Snowbirds, Maryse Carmichael was a young Air Cadet from Quebec City with a dream of becoming a military pilot. That dream would eventually make her the first woman to fly with the Snowbirds - and the first woman to fly with any jet aerobatic demonstration team in the world.In Part 1, Maryse shares her journey through Air Cadets, flight training in Moose Jaw, instructional flying on the CT-114 Tutor, operational flying with 434 Squadron, VIP operations with 412 Squadron, and serving in Bagotville during the post-9/11 years. Along the way she discusses Exercise RV92, flying with her brother, supporting the Prime Minister, and the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy.Maryse also reflects on earning a position with the Snowbirds, learning precision formation aerobatics, flying formation inverted, and eventually returning to command 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. It is a story of perseverance, trust, leadership, and one of the most remarkable careers in Canadian military aviation.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTMaryse mentioned our interview with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet. Check out Command: The Future Force: Building a Fifth Generation Air Force - Jamie Speiser-Blanchet - a discussion on RCAF modernization, recruitment, readiness, and the future of Canadian military aviation.If you're interested in another Snowbirds perspective, check out Snowbirds: The Unexpected Path: From Flying Instructor to Snowbird to SAR - Blake McNaughton - Blake shares his experience flying with Canada's iconic air demonstration team and offers a current Snowbird pilot's perspective on life inside the formation.