On Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 the Canada Aviation and Space Museum inaugurated a new era with the opening of its new learning and multimedia centre. Hanging upside down high above the main foyer as if in a downward loop is a CF114 Tutor Jet from the Canadian Forces demonstration squadron Snowbirds. On hand to dedicate this new exhibit was Lieutenant Colonel Maryse Carmichael.

Last year Canadians were introduced to Lieutenant Colonel Carmichael as the newest Commander of Canada's aerial ambassadors. It's not her first tour with the Snowbirds. In November 2000, she was selected to fly the #3 position with the 431st Air Demonstration Squadron, becoming the first female pilot to ever fly with the Snowbirds Aerobatic Team. During her second year with the Snowbirds, she was promoted to Major and served as Executive Officer.

In 1984, Maryse Carmichael joined the Air Cadets at the age of 13 and enlisted in the Armed Forces full time six years later in 1990. She's been a flying instructor, has flown with the 434th Combat Support Squadron in Greenwood, N.S., and transported VIPs in Ottawa with the 412th Transport Squadron.

After her two years with the Snowbirds, Major Carmichael was posted to 3rd Wing Bagotville in Quebec in 2003 as the deputy wing operations officer and moved to 8th Wing Trenton in eastern Ontario in 2007 to fly the CC-130 Hercules.

In May 2010, Maryse Carmichael was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and received her new assignment as commander of the Snowbirds, becoming the first woman to lead the squadron in its 40-year history. It's a different focus than her first tour as part of the Snowbirds.

"I was on the team a few years ago and I was the first woman to fly with the Snowbirds and that was really different. But now this posting is really about commanding this squadron and commanding the men and women that really represent the Canadian Forces across Canada."

The Snowbirds season begins May 3rd 2011 in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.

Women Pilots in the Canadian Forces

It has been almost 60 years since the Canadian cabinet authorized the recruitment of women into the regular Royal Canadian Air Force.

Below are some dates of interest.

- In 1974, Major Wendy Clay M.D. became the first woman to qualify for her pilot’s wings. This happened six years before the pilot classification was opened to all women.

- 1981 saw Second Lieutenant Inge Plug become the first female helicopter pilot in the Canadian Forces. That same year Lieutenant Karen McCrimmon became the first female air navigator.

- In 1988, Major Dee Brasseur, became one of the first two women in the world to fly a jet fighter aircraft - the CF-18 Hornet

- 1998, now Lieutenant- Colonel Karen McCrimmon, the first female air navigator, becomes commander of the 429th Transport Squadron in Trenton, Ontario.

Snowbirds Official Site
Snowbirds Airshow Schedule

Click here to find out about Clara Adams, the ‘real’ first woman of flight.