Photo: Pictured (L-R): Jean Pike, Tosca Trasolini, Mrs. E. Flahery, Alma Gilbert, Elianne Roberge (President), Margaret Fane, Rolie Moore. Courtesy of Township of Langley
The famous Flying Seven have been honoured with a massive mural on the exterior wall at the new Langley Regional Airport (YNJ). Each of the female pilots flew out of Langley at one time or another, and each had a dream to put women at the forefront of aviation.
They formed their own flying club in 1936 and staged a dawn-to-dusk flying patrol above Vancouver to promote women in the skies through an entire day with women in the air. During World War II, they tried to enlist, were refused, and then launched a campaign to drop pamphlets for a ‘Smash the Nazi’ initiative. They successfully raised $10,000, which allowed the purchase of eight aircraft for pilot training. Ahead of their time, the Flying Seven had the vision to establish a school to train women for aviation jobs during the war.
The Township of Langley awarded the mural project to Randi Hamel, Taj Jamal, Kelly Mellings, and Allan Whincup of Pulp Studios. It’s a striking tribute to pioneers in aviation. Find out more about the Flying Seven and watch a short video HERE