Violet Milstead facts for kids

Violet Milstead Warren CM (October 17, 1919 – June 27, 2014) was an amazing Canadian aviator. She was the very first female bush pilot in Canada. She was also one of only four Canadian women who flew for the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during World War II.

Violet flew for over 600 hours during the war. This made her the longest-serving female Canadian ATA pilot. Later, she taught many people how to fly. Her students included famous commercial pilot Molly Reilly and author June Callwood. Violet Milstead Warren is a member of the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. She also belongs to the Order of Canada and the Bush Pilots Hall of Fame.

Violet's Early Life

Violet Milstead was born on October 17, 1919, in Toronto, Ontario. Her parents were Edith and Harold Milstead. She had one brother named Fred.

When Violet was 15, she left school. She started helping at her mother's wool shop. At first, she wanted to be a surgeon. But by age 16, she decided she wanted to be a pilot. Violet saved money from her job for flying lessons. She took her first lesson on September 4, 1939. Just six months later, she had both her private and commercial pilot licenses!

Her Amazing Flying Career

Flying During World War II

In July 1941, Violet became a certified flight instructor. She taught flying to military people and others at Barker Field in Toronto. But soon, wartime rules made it hard to keep teaching.

In 1943, Violet learned that the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) needed experienced pilots. So, she traveled to England with another pilot, Marion Alice Orr. Violet was one of only four Canadian women to work for the ATA. She became a first officer. Her job was to fly different twin-engine planes. She moved them from factories to military bases.

A World War II De Havilland Mosquito plane, which Violet flew.

Violet flew at least 47 different types of aircraft during the war. These included Spitfires, de Havilland Mosquitos, and Grumman Hellcats. She had to learn how to fly each new plane very quickly. To help her, Violet used a special book called the "Blue Bible." It had cards with instructions for taking off and landing each plane.

ATA pilots could not use radios during flights. This was because enemies might listen in. So, Violet often had to navigate using only maps and a compass. She flew through storms, fog, and darkness. Ground crews at airfields knew when ATA pilots were coming. They said, "no one else would dare to fly in such bad weather." Violet worked for two weeks, then had four days off. She often flew up to eight flights each day. Even though she did the same work as male pilots, she was paid 20 percent less. Violet was just over five feet tall. Sometimes, she had to sit on a packed parachute to see out the plane's windows!

Violet logged over 600 hours of flight time. She was the longest-serving female Canadian pilot with the ATA.

Flying After the War

A Fairchild Husky bushplane, like the one Violet flew.

After the war ended in 1945, Violet returned to Canada. She worked as a flight instructor at Barker Field. There, she met her future husband, pilot Arnold Warren. Next, she moved to Sudbury. She worked at Nickel Belt Airways. Here, she taught flying and became a bush pilot.

Violet flew prospectors, miners, and hunters in and out of northern Ontario. She also watched for forest fires. She was the first female Canadian bush pilot. She was probably the only woman in the world teaching at a bush pilot school in the 1940s. Violet often flew the Fairchild Husky plane for her bush work.

Sometimes, she faced challenges with men. Once, a co-pilot tried to kiss her before takeoff. She quickly "spun him around and kicked him out the door." But things got better over time. Violet later said, "When the boys got over fainting spells from seeing a girl climb out of the airplane, they became very helpful."

Violet and her husband lived in Indonesia for two years. Her husband taught aviation there. But Violet was not allowed to teach. They returned to Canada, and Violet became a librarian. She retired in 1973. She and her husband continued to fly for fun in their own Piper Cub plane.

Violet taught many famous Canadians how to fly. These included author June Callwood and commercial pilot Molly Reilly. June Callwood was very impressed by Violet's skills. She called her a "Bush Angel." Callwood later wrote an article about Violet for a women's magazine.

Awards and Honours

In 1995, Violet Milstead was chosen to enter the Bush Pilots Hall of Fame. A year later, a documentary film was made about her ATA work. It was called A Time For Courage.

In 2004, Violet received the Order of Canada. This is a very high honour in Canada. In 2009, a special Canada Post stamp was made with her picture on it. In 2012, she received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. She also received other awards, like the Amelia Earhart Medal.

In 2010, she was added to the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.

Personal Life and Passing

Violet Milstead married pilot Arnold Warren in 1947. They were together until Arnold's death in 2000.

Violet Milstead Warren passed away on June 27, 2014.