Women of Aviation Week - Central Mountain Air
(SMITHERS, BC March 8th, 2022)
Name: Nora Varaljay
Job Title: Training Captain Beech 1900
Years at CMA: 4.5 years
How did you get your start in the aviation industry: I started in aviation in 1995, working for a large airline ground handling company, working in operations. In 1997 I went on my first training flight.
What does a typical day at CMA look like for you: Flying all over our beautiful province of BC!
Favourite part about your job: Flying and surfing the clouds 😉
What drew you to CMA: The long-standing history of CMA in Western Canada and flying in one of the most scenic areas of Canada.
What advice would you give to other females hoping to get a job in this role or the aviation industry: Dream big! If you truly love to fly, keep following your dream to fly and it will happen!
Fun fact about yourself: I love to bake cakes.
Why you are proud to be celebrating Women in Aviation week: I’m proud to be part of encouraging more women to work in aviation, there are so many different jobs available in the aviation industry, the opportunities are limitless!
Name: Danielle Melo
Job Title: Director of Maintenance for NT Air
Years at NTA: 7 years in June
How did you get your start in the aviation industry: I started in aviation very young. In fact, I was part of the Air Cadet program from 13-19 and was fortunate to receive the flying scholarship where I obtained my Private Pilot’s License. From there, I went to trade school for Aircraft Maintenance and the rest is history.
What does a typical day look like for you: There really is not a typical day in aircraft maintenance. Sometimes you shovel snow and other days you are doing everything within your ability to fix an aircraft to get it flying again and everything in between. The thing I like the most about my job is the variety of things that I do. Every day is a new experience where I use all my skills. I do not like being stagnant.
What drew you to NTA: I grew up in northern BC but spent most of my adult years living in the Vancouver area. There came a time when I realized I missed the north and coincidently NT Air had a position open here in Prince George. I jumped on the opportunity to come back. I enjoy working for smaller companies because you get to know all the people you work with.
What advice would you give to other females hoping to get a job in this role or the aviation industry: My biggest piece of advice would be to stay focused on what you want and not give up. If you want to be a pilot flying wide-body aircraft overseas or if you want both M1 and M2 AME licenses, all of these things are within your ability to accomplish. Do not let setbacks keep you from accomplishing what you want. Good things come to those who wait.
Fun fact about yourself: I love cats! In fact, I actually helped CMA find a cat that had escaped their kennel on the ramp here in Prince George (see never a dull day). I also really enjoy yoga, camping, and adventuring outdoors.
Why you are proud to be celebrating Women in Aviation week: What I am most proud of this year celebrating Women in Aviation week is how many women I am seeing out there. When I started my first apprenticeship, it was still odd to have women working as AME’s. According to Transport Canada, only 5% of AME’s today are women but one day that number will be bigger and that is super exciting to me. I look forward to the day when people are not shocked when I tell them what I do for work
Name: Carrie Colville
Job Title: NT Air General Manager, CMA Charter Manager
Years at CMA/NTA: 14 years
How did you get your start in the aviation industry: I started as a CSA in Smithers when we operated a scheduled flight into Bob Quinn and Dease Lake.
What does a typical day at CMA look like for you: Every day is different. Some days I’m very involved in the daily operations, other days I’m working with existing clients, and other days I’m spending time speaking with potential clients.
Favourite part about your role: My favorite part of the role is the diversity in my role and the different people that I get to work with.
What advice would you give to anyone hoping to get a job in this role or the aviation industry: There are many roles in Aviation to build a great career in, each department that I have worked in has taught many valuable skills and was the foundation to the leadership role that I am in today.
Fun fact about yourself: I am a Mom of 2 boys who love visiting me at work.
Name: Smrthy Andi
Job Title: First Officer
Years at CMA/NTA: 7 months
How did you get your start in the aviation industry: Started as a Flight Instructor
What does a typical day at CMA/NTA look like for you: Check-in with BC ambulance service at 7 am and (weather permitting) fly wherever they need us to. Blessed experience to help transport patients all around BC.
Favourite part about your job: Not knowing where you are going to fly that day. It's an adventure every single day.
What drew you to CMA/NTA: The king air 350, work ethic at NTA and Medevac experience
What advice would you give to other females hoping to get a job in this role or the aviation industry: Never give up, keep your head held high up and remember you are worth it!
Fun fact about yourself: I love to cook! If I wasn't a pilot, I would be a chef!
Why you are proud to be celebrating Women in Aviation week: It's wonderful to see so many women in the airline industry and feel respected wherever you go. I am always thrilled to meet fellow women pilots/AME/Flight attendants and I am in awe of how far they have come and achieved success. It brings a smile to my face. What a proud feeling!
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About Central Mountain Air Ltd.
Established in 1987, CMA is a Western Canadian privately owned and operated company. CMA provides scheduled flights to twelve communities, cargo to ten, and charter flights throughout British Columbia, Alberta, and Western Canada. For more information, and to learn about CMA's enhanced COVID-19 safety procedures, visit www.flycma.com.
SOURCE Central Mountain Air Ltd.
For further information:
Sarah Blake
Marketing Coordinator