Nicole Wall

(excerpt from Feb 2000 Ninety-Nines News)

Above, Nicole Wall, First Officer on Jetstream 31, British Airspace

The Air Cadet League of Canada was formed in 1941 to interest youth in aviation.  At first, it was for males only, but eventually accepted female cadets. 

Nicole Wall was an award winning Royal Canadian Air Cadet.  She was the only one in her family who was bitten by the aviation bug.  She won a scholarship for her gliding licence and the next year, on another flying scholarship, achieved her power licence in 1989 in North Bay, Ontario.

Next, Nicole took the three-year aviation course offered by Red Deer College in Alberta.  She graduated in 1993 near the top of her class with a Commercial licence, an Instrument Endorsement and a Flight Instructor Rating.

After her first job at Red Deer, she accepted an instructor's position at the Kingston Flying Club (KFC).  When Felicity McKendry met her there, there was an immediate bonding - Felicity had been the first female instructor hired there in 1953.

While at KFC in 1994-95, Nicole earned her twin rating with IFR endorsement.  A well recognized 99s life member, Lorna deBlicquy, conducted her multi-flight test in Ottawa.

A job flying a Navajo took her to Regina, followed by a six-month contract with the First Nations Air Services at Deseronto, Ontario.  In 1996, she flew a C337 Skymaster out of Dryden, Ontario on fire patrol for the Ontario government before moving to Yellowknife in December 1997 where she has been employed by North Western Air Lease.

Above, Nicole, trying out the left seat!

Nicole is current on four types of twin engine aircraft: First officer on Jetstream BA31, Captain on BE99, C-402 and C-337 Skymaster, so she is very busy logging hours - now more than 3,600!

The day previous to our telephone conversation, she flew the Premier of the Northwest Territories on his appointments.  She also told me that she and her husband Justin have just completed the paperwork for the acquisition of a Maule which they plan to operate on wheels, skis and floats.

In addition to the flying bond, we have another common factor.  In spite of a difference in our ages of 42 years, we each taught our future husbands how to fly!

Written by Felicity McKendry (Above, Left).

Note:  Nicole has since joined Air Ontario, and is based in Toronto.  

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