Silva McLeod
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Silva McLeod | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Year of birth and age Pangaimotu |
| Other names | Vaisiliva McLeod |
| Occupation(s) | Pilot, writer |
| Years active | 1992 to present |
| Employer(s) | Royal Tongan Airlines Aeropelican Air Services |
| Known for | Tonga's first woman pilot |
Silva McLeod (born 1961) is a Tongan pilot and writer, who in 1992, according to the Australian Aviation Authority, became the first woman from Tonga to be awarded a pilot's license.[1][2]
McLeod grew up on the island of Pangaimotu in Vava’u,[3] in a home without electricity.[1] As a child had an intense interest in aeroplanes, watching them fly over her house as often as she could.[1] After her marriage in 1980,[2] she moved to Australia in 1981,[4] later living in Melbourne,[5] and it was her husband who purchased her first flying lessons for her.[1] In 1992, according to the Australian Aviation Authority, became the first woman from Tonga to be awarded a pilot's license.[1][2] By 1998,[4] at the age of 37, McLeod was working full time as a captain for Royal Tongan Airlines.[1] She has also flown for Aeropelican Air Services, Royal Flying Doctor Service and for Virgin International, the latter including Boeing 737 and Boeing 777 aircraft.[5][6] McLeod also experienced racism and sexism, whilst working as a pilot.[2]
In 2023, McLeod published her memoir Island Girl to Airline Pilot.[1][3][7][8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 She grew up in an island hut with no running water or electricity. Now she’s a pilot. Lilit Marcus. (2023-07-28) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from CNN
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 High flyer - Tonga's first female airline pilot. (2023-04-19) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from RNZ
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fantasy like Moana? ‘No, I just wanted to tell my story,’ says Tongan pilot | Asia Pacific Report. Sri Krishnamurthi. (2023-05-10) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from link
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 'Why can’t I be a man?' - The struggle to become Tonga's first female airline pilot. (2025-01-12) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from NZ Herald
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Silva McLeod | National Women in Transport. (2024-10-16) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from Women in Transport
- ↑ Silva McLeod: Her story of love and sacrifice | AWW. The Australian Women's Weekly. (2023-11-24) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from The Australian Women's Weekly
- ↑ Silva Mcleod Island Girl to Airline Pilot Book Launch. Aviation Aerospace Australia. Retrieved 2025-01-14 from www.aviationaerospace.org.au
- ↑ Island Girl to Airline Pilot: A Story of Love, Sacrifice and Taking Flight, by Silva Mcleod.. Newsdesk. (2023-05-10) Retrieved 2025-01-14 from TALANOA 'O TONGA
