Scholarships
Captain Christina Thomson ALPA Scholarship
Captain Christina Thomson was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Through her roles as a WestJet pilot and tireless union representative, she demonstrated resilience, compassion, and natural leadership. Tragically, in December 2023, Christina was a victim of intimate partner violence. This scholarship honors Christina’s memory by supporting women in flight training who share her leadership qualities.
Applications for the Captain Christina Thomson ALPA Scholarship are closed. Thank you for the applications!
Captain Judy Cameron
This scholarship targets young women in pursuit of careers as Commercial Pilots or Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, who may not have the financial means to do so. It is open to all women who are Canadian citizens and who have been accepted or are enrolled in a post-secondary aviation flight program or aircraft repair and maintenance program. Preference is given to those who volunteer to help other women in aviation or who have financial need.
Sponsored by Air Canada and CAE, who have partnered to provide scholarships for up to eight aspiring Canadian women in aviation.
We’re pleased to announce the eight recipients of the 7th annual Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship for Canadian women in aviation.
2026 Recipients
The Northern Lights Aero Foundation is pleased to announce eight recipients of the seventh annual Captain Judy Cameron scholarship for Canadian women in aviation. Air Canada and CAE generously provided funding of $5,000 for each scholarship recipient. Eight pilots were chosen from across Canada for their accomplishments, inspiration, and encouragement of other women in aviation.
“It has been inspiring to watch past recipients become flight instructors, medevac pilots, and First Officers with major airlines,” said Judy Cameron, retired Air Canada Boeing 777 captain. “The 2026 recipients are women who not only excel in their own training, but also actively encourage other women on their aviation journeys. I am deeply grateful to Air Canada and CAE for supporting Canadian women in aviation through this partnership with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.”
The 2026 Air Canada recipients are:
Faith Mulholland of Eden Mills, Ontario, is a second-year student pilot at Moncton Flight College and the Founder and President of the Women in Aviation Society at Mount Allison University.
Afrah Khan of Edmonton, Alberta, holds a Private Pilot Licence from the Alberta College of Avionics and volunteers with Elevate Aviation and the Alberta Aviation Museum.
Aymie Rioux of St-Germain, Quebec, trains at Exactair and holds a Commercial Pilot Licence. She serves as Vice-President of The Ninety-Nines in Quebec and volunteers with Elevate Aviation and SERABEC civilian search and rescue.
Kesaia Bruni of Mississauga, Ontario, is pursuing her Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence at Cygnet Aviation, where she was elected class representative. She has also contributed more than 500 volunteer hours in her community.
The 2026 CAE Women in Flight Ambassadors:
Katelyn Flear of Caledonia, Ontario, recently passed her Commercial Pilot flight test at the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre and serves as Social Media Coordinator for the University of Waterloo Aviation Society.
Madison Crane of Etobicoke, Ontario, holds a Private Pilot Licence from Diamond Flight Centre. She is President of the Commercial Aviation Management Council at Western University and Membership Chair of Western Aviatrix.
Sophia Hutchcroft of Calgary, Alberta, is a student at Mount Royal University, holds a Private Pilot Licence, and serves as Vice-President of Events for the MRU Women in Aviation Club.
Natasha Razzak of Sherwood Park, Alberta, holds a Private Pilot Licence from Centennial Flight Centre and volunteers with The Citizens Foundation Pakistan and Elevate Aviation.