FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2019 3 How many teenaged girls get their pilots license before they get their driver’s license? How many are part owner of an airplane? It’s probably pretty rare -- but Madeline Garriock has both accomplishments under her wings. The 18-year-old Port Perry resi- dent was the historic first, of only two candidates from across Canada, cho- sen to receive a scholarship from the Canadian Flight Academy. Both were young women. Madeline explained that the shortage of pilots led to the establishment of this scholarship, to encourage more people to enter this specialized field. A graduate of Port Perry High School, she’s continuing her education in aviation out of the Oshawa airport. And she’s over-the-moon excited to be- come a one-fifth owner of a plane. “It’s a Piper 140 and it’s adorable,” Madeline said. “It’s a low wing single engine plane, a four seater, super cute and well maintained.” With the recent influx of interna- tional students attending local flight school, competition for use of the planes was an obstacle. “Now I can fly more often, and have more time in the air,” she enthused. Weather conditions, of course, also influence when she can practice flying towards her ultimate goal of obtain- ing her commercial pilot license and instructor status. Madeline’s passion for aviation began as a child. She describes her parents Jeff and Suzanne as “airplane fanatics.” Their family of five always enjoyed taking in air shows and visiting avia- tion museums. A wide-eyed young Madeline recalls her admiration of the Snowbirds, and trying to get all of the pilots to sign autographs for her. “I was in awe,” she said. The 12-year-old little girl with a big dream worked her way up to becoming a warrant officer for the 151 Chadburn Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, plus earned her private pilot and glider certification, while still in her teens. Madeline got her start as an Air Cadet. Originally, she joined the Army Cadets in Port Perry with her older sister Josianne, but at the age of 13, Madeline switched to the Air Cadets in Oshawa. Comparing Army and Air Cadets, Madeline noted that parachuting is part of the Army Cadets program. “I’d rather fly the plane than jump out of it,” she joked. She has spent her summers train- ing with her squadron, and in 2016, she got her Glider license. There was extensive ground school study before she went soaring up into the clouds with her instructor, prior to her debut solo flight (which, by the way, is traditionally celebrated by dunking the new pilot with ice water – not her favourite part of the experience!) UP UP A N D A W AY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A A A N N D D A A A W W W W A W A A W A A W A A A A A A W A W W A W W A W W A W Y Y Y AY A AY A AY A . Y. Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In this May 16, 2018 photo, Madeline received her award/scholarship from the Canadian Flight Academy ‘Professional Pilot Scholarship’ from left to right; Dave Lorbetskie, John Davis, Warrant Officer Madeline (at the time she was a Flight Sergeant) and commanding officer of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 151 Chadburn Oshawa, Major Burt Weigel. The scholarship is designed to provide Royal Canadian Air Cadets with the opportunity to build and advance their career in aviation. ...................... Please turn to page 4 Madeline Garriock’s career as a pilot is really taking off!