Violet Milstead

She worked as a flight instructor at Barker Field in Toronto, Ontario, and her students included commercial pilot Molly Reilly and author June Callwood.

[2] After completing her instructor's certification in July 1941, Milstead gave flight lessons to both military personnel and private citizens at Barker Field in Toronto.

[2] In 1943,[3] learning that the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) needed experienced pilots, Milstead travelled to England with fellow aviator Marion Orr.

[2][3] She was one of only four Canadian women who worked at the ATA,[4][2] and she earned the rank of first officer, ferrying various twin-engine aircraft between factories and military sites.

[2] Milstead flew at least 47 types of aircraft during her wartime ferrying work, including Spitfires, de Havilland Mosquitos, Beaufighters, Hawker Tempests and Grumman Hellcats.

[4] ATA pilots were not allowed to use radio contact during flights, due to the risk of being overheard, so Milstead often had to navigate by dead reckoning, flying through storms, smog and darkness with little more than maps and compasses.

[3] When the ATA was disbanded in 1945, Milstead returned to Canada and worked as a flight instructor at Leavens Brothers Air Services at Barker Field.

Milstead transported prospectors, miners, lumber personnel, hunters and fishermen in and out of northern Ontario, and also watched for forest fires.

[3] Milstead taught several notable Canadians how to fly during her time as an instructor, including author June Callwood[8] and commercial pilot Molly Reilly.