The NINETY NINES, INC. is an international organization of licensed women pilots from 35 countries. The organization was initiated by Amelia Earhart, and came into being November 2, 1929. She was elected first president and the group was named for the 99 charter members.

Members serve in a number of charitable and philanthropic support roles to aviation activities: Sponsoring and conducting aviation safety and educational seminars, introducing young people to aviation through presentations made in school settings, teaching flying companion seminars, fear of flying clinics, and working with flying skills events for university students, just to name a few. The organization also sponsors a number of aviation scholarships for both its members and the general aviation community

The award will be presented to the female pilot who meets the criteria listed on the application and who has achieved academic excellence, and flight proficiency in the region of the First Canadian Chapter of the 99s. The award is a special project of the First Canadian Chapter, intended to promote women in aviation.

The award consists of a one-year membership to the Ninety-Nines, a cash award of $200.00, and a plaque to be displayed at the flying club of the winner’s choice!

Complete the application form, have it signed by your C.F.I., and then mail it to the address indicated on the form.

Past Winners

2007 Lesley Page won

2006 Ingrid Rinaldi

2005 Heather Bradacs (middle) with her instructor (also a  99) Barbara Santamaria (L) and Laureen Nelson-Boutet (Award of Excellence Coordinator)

2004 Bev McConnell - pictured here with Laureen Nelson at the FCC AGM September 2005.

[Message from Laureen follows] Congratulations again to our 2004 winner, Beverly McConnell. We had announced Bev as our winner back in the March / April 2005 issue of Flightlines but finally presented Bev with a plaque at our Chapter’s AGM at Brampton airport, September 14, 2005.  

This award goes to a female pilot, at the Private Level, who has achieved academic excellence and flight proficiency in the region of the First Canadian Chapter of the 99s during 2004.  Bev received a complimentary one year membership to the Ninety-Nines, a cash award, plus a plaque to keep. Bev’s name has been added to a plaque which was initiated in 1994. Previous winners include Deborah Peel, Tess Miller, Noriko Date, Christina Lee and Lauren Boehm.

Bev was born in Red Deer, Alberta but grew up in Kingston, Ontario. Bev is married, has a BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph, a daughter ( presently in the Philippines ) and a son who is at Brock University. Bev works full time in the family  funeral business. Bev’s husband and herself are volunteers at a Christian Youth Camp for teens. Other interests, besides flying, include motorcycling, water skiing, snow skiing, scuba and photography.

Bev began flying in April 2004, when a cousin of hers offered her the use of his plane at Mohawk Airport (Tyendinaga CPU6 ). She completed the written test in August and the flight test in November 2004, via a private instructor, thus fulfilling a dream.  Bev is now working on her night rating.

“ I would like to thank the First Canadian Chapter of the 99s for the Award of Excellence. I am looking forward to meeting other women pilots and learning from you – Bev McConnell “

April 25th, 2003 FCC Chairman Laureen Nelson-Boutet presented Christina Lee with the FCC's 2002 Award of Excellence, at the Brampton Flying Club's Wings Banquet. 

Previous winners include Deborah Peel, Tess Miller, Noriko Date and Lauren Boehm.

Website email:  canadian99s@yahoo.ca