Spitfire Girls Trailblazer: Helen Marcelle Harrison: ATA Ferry Pilot, Wartime Instructor, and Flying Boat and Jet Aviator

A truly trailblazing pilot, Helen Marcelle Harrison soared above societal norms and became the first female military flying instructor in the world when she taught pupil pilots in the South African Air Force’s 1,000-Pilot Plan and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada.In her illustrious 35-year career, she earned licenses in four countries and learned to fly floatplanes during Singapore’s flying boat era. Harrison’s skill as an aviator did not go un-noticed, and, as a result, in 1942 she was one of twenty-five pilots, described at the time as North America’s best, who were selected to travel to the UK and join the renowned Air Transport Auxiliary.Harrison was, therefore, the first Canadian women to serve in the ATA. The ATA was instrumental during the war, employing male and female pilots to transport aircraft between factories, maintenance units, and front-line squadrons.First Officer Helen Harrison dealt with unflyable weather, mechanical issues, barrage balloons and m