Oakville’s Denise Egglestone Receives Prestigious Aviation Award

Denise Egglestone, a resident of Oakville, has been awarded the esteemed Trailblazer Award by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation for her significant contributions to the aviation and aerospace sectors in Canada. The award will be presented to her at a gala in Toronto on October 4, 2025.

Egglestone’s journey in aviation began in the 1970s, inspired by her father, who worked at Trudeau International Airport in Montreal as an employee of Air Canada. Frequent visits to the airport ignited her passion for aircraft and the aviation industry. “I was always around airplanes,” she reflected. “And back in those days there wasn’t much in the way of airport security, so I could go in with them.”

Breaking New Ground

As an adult, Egglestone pursued a career in aviation that saw her take on multiple roles, including becoming a licensed commercial pilot. She made history as Air Canada’s first female ground school instructor for the Boeing 727 and later served as one of the airline’s earliest female flight dispatchers for over two decades. Her path was not without challenges, particularly as a ground instructor.

“Admittedly, I wasn’t as experienced as all the guys,” she said. Many of her male colleagues had backgrounds in airline flying or as mechanics. “I had just been a flying instructor… flying small, charter aircrafts.” Support was often scarce. “I felt like when I asked them for help it wasn’t always readily available.”

The dynamics in her classroom were particularly challenging, as she often taught older male students. “I remember walking to class one day, arms full of books. I put them down on the table. I said, ‘how are you all doing today?’ And they said, ‘Oh fine, we’re just waiting for the instructor.’ And I go, ‘That would be me.’” Despite the initial skepticism, Egglestone persevered, largely due to the encouragement of her husband, an Air Canada pilot.

Fostering Future Generations

Today, Egglestone remains actively engaged in aviation, serving as the President of Dreams Take Flight National, an Air Canada charity that provides children facing medical or social challenges with the opportunity to visit Disneyland and Disney World. She also coordinates with agencies to select children for these special trips.

Continuing her commitment to mentorship, Egglestone works with young women entering the aviation field. A chance encounter at a grocery store led to an ongoing mentorship after a cashier recognized her Air Canada lanyard. “That conversation became a mentorship that continues today,” she stated.

Still a licensed commercial pilot, Egglestone is also treasurer for the Women in Aviation Upper Canada Chapter and volunteers with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA). Her involvement with CASARA was sparked by witnessing a slow emergency response to a plane crash in 2022, motivating her to help improve the situation.

Egglestone’s message to the next generation is clear: “I really want to encourage more women into the field. I want to get to women who say ‘I can’t do that’ – yes, you can.” Through her efforts, she is not only breaking barriers but also ensuring that those who follow in her footsteps find a more inclusive and supportive environment in aviation.