4th place for the ÉNA team at the Air Race Classic Collegiate 2018
Saint-Hubert, June 28, 2018 – The École nationale d’aérotechnique (ÉNA) is proud to highlight the remarkable performance of its team Les Demois’ailes, consisting of Madeleine Mena Zapata and Michèle Rivest, student in Aerospace Engineering Techniques and Aircraft Maintenance teacher at ÉNA, who finished 4th in the Collegiate 2018 Air Race Classic. This most important women’s air race in North America, June 19-22, 2018 in the United States, brought together 52 teams of female pilots from around the world.
Of the 19 competitive-level teams registered in the “college” category, only ÉNA Demois’ailes came from a French-language college. Another noteworthy fact: Canada’s only two representatives finished the race in 12th place in the overall standings.
The Demois’ailes team took on the colossal challenge of crossing the United States in four days with a Cessna 172 belonging to the ÉNA. In addition, there are four days to go to the competition. From Texas, through Illinois to Maine, they traveled about 4,000 km. Throughout the competition, the two women pilots implemented strategies to accumulate the best possible flight time.
Ms. Rivest considers this experience most rewarding. “We had to be resourceful and team player throughout this race, which proved to be a challenge. Mechanical trouble and bad weather punctuated our journey. Despite the pitfalls, we are very happy to have been able to represent our school abroad, “adds the former bush pilot who took over an airplane 35 years later.
As for Ms. Mena Zapata, she said she was very happy to have been able to compete with such experienced female pilots. “I would repeat the experience anytime! I had the unique chance to fully live my passion and perfect my flying skills. ”
Thank you to our partners
The ÉNA and the two teammates would like to thank all the students, staff members, teachers and staff, as well as the families of the pilots, who contributed to the financing and the success of this activity, including the Aéro-Club, the Student Life Council, Coop Édouard-Montpetit, the Continuing Education and Business Services Branch of Édouard-Montpetit College and the Cégep Foundation.
We also note the financial support of many aerospace partners such as Air Canada, the Association of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians in Quebec, Bell Helicopter, Greenfield Global and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
To learn more about the 2018 Air Race Classic Collegiate, visit www.airraceclassic.org
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