Snowbird Pilot
Lieutenant-Colonel Maryse
Carmichael is an accomplished pilot who became the first woman in
Canadian history selected to fly with the famous Snowbirds
Aerobatic Team. In November 2000 she was chosen to fly #3
position with the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.
Born in Quebec City in
1971, Lt.-Col Carmichael served as Air cadet from 1984 to 1988. She
joined the Canadian Forces in 1990 and completed pilot training in
January 1994...receiving her wings in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She
then served as Flying Instructor and the School Operations Officer
and Standards Officer. In Greenwood, Nova Scotia, Lt.-Col Carmichael
was with the 434 Combat Support Squadron ~ flying the
Bombardier-Canadair CE-144 and CC-144 Challenger Aircraft. Before
joining the Snowbirds, she was in the VIP transport role with 412
Transport Squadron in Ottawa, Ontario and flew such notables as Prime
Minister Jean Chretien and Governor General Adrienne Clarkson around
the world.
While flying with the
Snowbirds, Maryse was promoted to the rank of Major and became the
team's Executive Officer. After her stint with the legendary
Snowbirds, she began working as Deputy Wing Operations Officer at 3
Wing Bagotville. She was named commander of the Snowbirds in
2010...becoming the first female pilot to lead the famous aerobatic
squad.
Lt.-Col is married to
Major Scott Greenough, a Canadian Forces fighter pilot...they have
two daughters. As of May 2010, Lt.-Col Carmichael had accumulated
3200 hours of jet flying time.
Early Interest:
Maryse Carmichael has been fascinated by aviation for as long as she
can remember. While attending the Bagotville Airshow at the age of
16, she recalls being mesmerized by the feats and precision and
discipline. As soon as she was able, she followed in her three
brothers' footsteps and joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets with 630
Squadron in Quebec City...with one single goal in mind: to fly! At
age 16, she realized her dream and was awarded scholarships for both
her glider and private pilot wings.
Aviation Training
Flights: Maryse soon continued her aviation adventures as a
military pilot, joining the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1990.
Over her 22 year career, she accumulated nearly 3,500 hours on three
main aircraft types...the 'Tutor' jet trainer...the 'Challenger'
(VIP transport aircraft)...and the 'Hercules' Tactical airlift
transport.
Achievement:
In November 2000, Maryse made history when she was selected, after a
grueling competition, to fly with 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the
Canadian Forces' Snowbirds. She was the Snowbirds' first female
pilot and the first in the world to fly with a Jet Demonstration
Team!
More Challenging
Positions: After her tour of duty with the Snowbirds,
Lt.-Col Carmichael was assigned more challenging goals within the Air
Force...both at the tactical and operational levels. Specifically,
she served as the Operations Officer on 436 Transport Squadron...and
as Deputy Wing Operations Officer at 3 Wing Bagotville.
In May 2010, Maryse was
appointed as the Commanding Officer of the Snowbirds ~ another
world's first for a female aviator. She considers her time leading
the men and women of RCAF's Snowbirds to be the pinnacle of her
career.
Awards:
The recipient of many, Maryse was recognized in 2006 in the Top
100 as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women by the Women
Executive Network. Now retired from the RCAF, Maryse shares her
passion for aviation with her husband...Lieutenant-Colonel
Greenough...and RCAF fighter pilot and their two daughters.
Maryse's Keynote
Presentations
bring a fresh and
insightful perspective to Leadership.
Her personal experiences
in high-stress situations, coupled with unique perspectives on team
dynamics (from a woman's perspective) offer an insightful view into
leadership effectiveness. Perhaps, surprisingly, when all is said and
done, her underlying message is not one of gender...
but one of inspirational
leadership rooted in respect, teamwork and trust.
Discover More
Online:
Canada's Air Force ~ Snowbirds:
the official website from the Department of National Defence.
Career Options for Women ~ Maryse
Carmichael (from the TV series Career Options).
Official Report 1405 Number 077
~ regarding accomplishments of Maryse Carmichael.
She's the Boss:
Snowbirds' first female pilot to lead aerobatic squad ~ the Globe
and Mail, May 2010.
Woman Flies High as
new Snowbirds' Leader ~ CBC News, 02 May 2010.
Words of Wisdom
“A great gift has been
made to each of us…
the privilege of living in
the world for a short span of time
and the opportunity of
doing our part to inspire civilization,
to advance knowledge…both
scientific knowledge of man
and the wisdom from above.
This opportunity should be
regarded as our sacred trust.”
(Author unknown)
Compiled by Merle
Baird-Kerr...March 28, 2015
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