Talk to Donna with Maryse Carmichael 1st female pilot Canadian Snowbirds

Meet Maryse Carmichael, wife, mother and an incredibly talented woman! 

It was while attending an Air Show at the age of 6, that she was instantly mesmerized by the skilled performers exhibiting precision and discipline.  She quickly followed her three brothers and joined the Air Cadets with 630 Squadron, in Quebec City when she was of age. She obtained both her glider and private pilot licenses.

She started her adventure as a military pilot in the Canadian Forces in 1990.  Over her 22 year career, she accumulated nearly 3,500 hours on three main aircraft types; the CT-114 Tutor, the CE and CC 144 Challenger and the CC-130 Hercules. She was posted to ten Canadian Forces bases throughout Canada.

The first highlight of her career was being selected in November 2000 to fly with 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. She became the Team’s first female pilot, as well as the first female pilot on a Jet Demonstration Team in the world.

The second highlight of her career was to lead the men and women of 431 (AD) Squadron from May 2010 to July 2013 as their Commanding Officer.

She shares her passion for aviation with her husband, Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Greenough, a fighter pilot, and their two daughters who just might follow in their parents footsteps.