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Snowbirds engineer Maj. Nadine Dale has been recognized with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation’s Elsie Award for Engineering.
Dale said receiving the award is an incredible honour, particularly because the awards are named after Elsie MacGill, a pioneering Canadian engineer who worked on Hurricane aircraft during the Second World War.
“It’s such an honour to be named in the same kind of field as someone that was such an incredible groundbreaker in the field,” Dale said.
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The Northern Lights Aero Foundation recognizes women working across aviation and aerospace, while also providing mentorship and opportunities to connect people at different stages of their careers.
Dale said she only recently learned about the foundation, but appreciates its focus on recognizing women throughout the industry.
“They do a lot of mentorship and just recognizing women throughout the industry, throughout aerospace and aviation,” she said.
Her own path into aviation started in Saskatchewan.
From Air Cadets to military engineering
Dale was born in Creelman before moving to Regina as a child, where she joined the 41 Hercules Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
While in Air Cadets, she earned both her glider pilot’s licence and private pilot’s licence.
“I always knew at that age that I was interested in being involved in aviation,” she said.
She later earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at Carleton University before joining the military in 2003 as an electrical and mechanical engineering officer.
While aerospace engineering and the military have traditionally been male-dominated fields, Dale said she has generally felt supported throughout her career.
“I never really felt out of place in those industries,” she said. “I always felt that if I work hard and do my job, then I’ll find a place in this industry.”
Dale said she has also seen more women entering aviation since she began her career.
“It’s great to see more women working in the industry and more diverse ways of thinking and being encouraged,” she said.
New role with the Snowbirds
Dale arrived at 15 Wing Moose Jaw in August and has begun work with the Snowbirds.
For Dale, the new posting brings her career in aviation back to a place that has been familiar since childhood.
“Growing up in Saskatchewan, I probably first saw the Snowbirds at an air show in Moose Jaw years ago,” she said.
“I think the Snowbirds hold a special place in all of our hearts, and so it’s fantastic to be able to come and work with them.”
She said the opportunity is particularly exciting as the Snowbirds enter a period of transition.
Influence of the Air Cadets program
Dale also credited the Air Cadet program with helping shape her career and giving her early exposure to aviation, leadership, sport and community involvement.
“I think the Air Cadet program was a huge influence in my life and career,” she said.
“That’s where I first became involved in aviation. That’s where I first got some leadership opportunities and saw what could be available for me.”
Her advice to young women considering a career in aviation is to take advantage of opportunities, even when the eventual path is not clear.
Dale originally planned to become a military pilot, but her eyesight prevented her from pursuing that route.
Instead, she became an engineer.
“I would say take every opportunity that is available to you,” Dale said. “You may not always know what your life is going to look like and how everything is going to roll out.”
She said the unexpected change ultimately worked out well.
“I became an engineer, which actually worked out for the best for me. I really enjoy engineering,” Dale said.
Dale said receiving the Elsie Award remains somewhat surreal.
“I didn’t expect to receive this award at this point. But yeah, it’s great,” she said.
Dale will officially be presented with her award at the Northern Lights Aero Foundation Awards Gala in Brampton, Ont., on Oct. 3.
