Air Canada and CAE Open Applications for 8 Scholarships Supporting Canadian Women Pursuing Pilot and Maintenance Careers

Canada – Air Canada and aviation training and simulation provider CAE have opened applications for the eighth annual Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, offering financial support to women pursuing careers as commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. The 2027 scholarship program, delivered in partnership with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, aims to increase female participation in aviation training and technical professions.

• Up to eight scholarships will be awarded for the 2027 program, with applications open from November 1–30, 2026. Eligible candidates must be Canadian citizens who have been accepted into or are enrolled in a post-secondary aviation flight training or aircraft maintenance program.
• The Northern Lights Aero Foundation, which administers the scholarships, gives preference to applicants demonstrating financial need or involvement in activities supporting other women pursuing aviation careers.
• Commercial pilot scholarship recipients may also be selected as ambassadors for CAE's Women in Flight program, which promotes female participation in the pilot profession through mentorship, outreach and career development activities.
• The scholarship initiative was established by Air Canada in 2019 with four annual awards. CAE joined the program in 2023, doubling the number of scholarships available to eligible candidates.
• AFM previously reported that Air Canada and CAE awarded eight Captain Judy Cameron Scholarships in March 2026, with four aspiring commercial pilots also joining the CAE Women in Flight Ambassador Program.
• Air Canada reports that previous scholarship recipients have progressed into commercial aviation roles, including one of the program's earliest recipients who is now flying the Airbus A330 for the airline.
• According to CAE, women currently account for approximately 5% of commercial pilots worldwide, while the company forecasts a requirement for 300,000 new pilots globally by 2034. The scholarship is part of the companies' efforts to expand participation in professional aviation training.

Statements

• "Air Canada is proud to continue investing in the people who will shape aviation's future and to see former scholarship recipients advancing in their careers, including one of our first recipients who is now a pilot on an Airbus A330 at Air Canada. The Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship helps talented women access training, build confidence and pursue rewarding careers across our industry. We are excited to follow the next group of recipients as they move forward in this dynamic profession," said Murray Strom, Senior Vice President, Safety, Security & Flight Operations at Air Canada.
• "Aviation will need 300,000 new pilots by 2034, yet women make up only about 5% of commercial pilots today. If our industry is going to meet that demand, we need to inspire and enable a much broader pool of talent to see aviation as a career for them. That's what the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship program is about: opening doors, creating role models and helping more women see a path to the flight deck. We're proud to work with Air Canada to help build the next generation of aviation talent," said Samantha Golinski, Senior Vice President, Communications at CAE.
• "This year's scholarship recipients came from all across Canada, from New Brunswick to Alberta, but they all shared one important attribute: they actively uplift and encourage other women in their aviation journeys. As I greeted each student on stage at the Northern Lights gala, I was proud not only of their accomplishments in their own training, but also of their commitment to volunteering, mentoring and supporting others. These remarkable young women will be inspiring role models and mentors for the next generation of women in aviation. Thank you to Air Canada for initiating these scholarships eight years ago, and to CAE for joining the program and helping it grow. I look forward to the day when I'm on a flight operated by one of our Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship recipients," said Judy Cameron, retired Air Canada Boeing 777 Captain and Director, Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's flag carrier, headquartered in Montréal, providing domestic and international passenger and cargo services across six continents. The airline established the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship in recognition of its first female pilot, who joined the company in April 1978 and subsequently became Canada's first female Boeing 777 captain in 2010.

About CAE
CAE is a Canadian aviation simulation and training company headquartered in Montréal, providing pilot training, flight simulation equipment, maintenance training and defense simulation solutions. The company operates training facilities and other sites across more than 40 countries and launched its Women in Flight Ambassador Program in 2018 to support greater female participation in aviation careers.

Source: CAE