An Edmonton octogenarian took a trip down memory lane -- and the runway -- on Saturday. Eighty-nine-year-old Grace Smith was back in the pilot’s seat after five decades, taking a Cessna for a short round trip from the Centennial Flight Centre. There to see her off, and welcome her back on the tarmac at the Villeneuve Airport, were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. “They seem to get all excited,” she said. “More so than me, because for the most part, it’s just a normal day’s operation.” Smith and her husband were both pilots in a time when few women were. Her story is one that has inspired people around her. “She talked about how difficult it was to become a pilot in a man’s world, because that’s 50 years ago and more,” said friend Anne McCracken. “She really did have to fight in various places to achieve what she wanted.” “Not every woman wants to be a pilot, so I guess it is a little bit different,” Smith said. “The operations and applications now that women in aviation can obtain, they couldn’t before … I guess I helped break a few rules.” Air Canada hired its first woman pilot in 1978 and, according to the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, there were just 256 women pilots in Canada in the 1980’s (representing about 4.8 per cent of the total industry). That rose to 8.15 per cent in 2020. Smith’s opportunity to fly again came about thanks to a casual conversation and the help of the Chartwell Foundation, which helps seniors access experiences and fulfill wishes. “They were sitting around coffee one day, and Grace said, ‘You know, I really wish I could fly again. It’s been 50 years since I’ve flown.’ And Grace has a great history, great stories of flying out of this airport in these planes, so her friend Anne nominated her,” Darleen Williams, general manager at Chartwell Heritage Valley retirement community, said. “Careful what you wish for,” Smith said. “You’re going to get it.” Williams said the flight was eagerly looked forward to by Heritage Valley staff and residents. “Everybody that was on today was down in our lobby cheering for grace,” Williams said. “This has been the talk of our building for quite some time now.” “You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days and that’s exactly what we see here,” Williams said. “I think it’s very inspiring, and I think it’s inspiring to women in particular.” “Attitude is everything, and life is to be lived, and (Grace is) a good example of it. Every day is a precious day,” McCracken said. After the flight, which was a bumpy one due to the wind, Smith said it felt like old times being behind the stick. “It was absolutely great,” she said, “Great to be back in the saddle.” “It (was) really a comfort … Brought back memories, I can tell you,” she added.
