Vanessa Waugh beside a red floatplane on a dock in the BC mountains

Vanessa Waugh

CPL Float Rating 250 hrs Cat 1 Medical Victoria, BC DA20 DA40 G115C C172 Floats PA44 Seminole

Total Time

250

PIC

100

Float

45

Instrument

20

Multi-Engine

18

Licences & Ratings

  • Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Transport Canada, 2025
  • Float Rating
  • Multi-engine: 18 hours logged
  • Aviation Medical: Category 1, valid to May 2027

Profile

Float flying appeals to her for reasons she can't always put into words. Every lake and harbour is different, and you have to read the environment, stay on top of conditions, and think through each approach. She grew up outdoors and has always loved being near the water. Taking off and landing on it is something she hasn't found anywhere else.

She's calm when things get hard, and she doesn't quit. Balancing multi-engine training with a full-time job and a four-year degree meant a lot of tough days, and showing up anyway. She's not in it to rack up hours and move on. She wants to actually fly different planes and get good at them before she heads to an airline.

  • Bachelor of Management and Organisational Studies graduate, Commercial Aviation Management, Western University, 2025. Four years learning the business and operations side of aviation, not just the flying part.
  • Flight Dispatcher and Lead Ramp Agent at Diamond Flight Centre. She knows how the ground side works before the wheels are up.
  • Naval Combat Information Operator, Royal Canadian Navy Reserve. Deployed on Operation Latitude.
  • Search and rescue volunteer, CASARA and PEP Air.
  • Current Red Cross first aid certification. Survival skills training through the Navy and CASARA.
Vanessa Waugh in the cockpit of a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter during Operation Latitude

"My dad used to fly me into a remote fishing lodge in Saskatchewan. That's where it all started."

Training & Experience

  • Commercial Pilot Licence & Float Rating Pacific Seaplanes · British Columbia · 2025

    CPL flight training on the BC coast with float endorsement. Aircraft flown: DA20, DA40, Grob G115C, Cessna 172 on floats, Piper Seminole (PA44).

  • Bachelor of Management and Organisational Studies Western University · London, Ontario · 2021–2025

    Four-year programme, specialisation in Commercial Aviation Management.

  • Flight Dispatcher & Lead Ramp Agent Diamond Flight Centre · 2023–2025

    Flight planning, weight and balance, fuel coordination, and ground handling for general aviation operations.

  • Naval Combat Information Operator Royal Canadian Navy Reserve · 2021–present · Deployed on Operation Latitude

    Deployed to Alaska on Operation Latitude, working alongside the US Coast Guard and American strike carrier groups across the Arctic. Ported in Anchorage and visited Lake Hood Seaplane Base while in port. Flew on a CH-148 Cyclone during SAR exercises, including a live person-overboard search and rappelling onto the deck. Shipboard life ran on 12-hour days and month-long stretches at sea: line handling, deck work, security watches, and emergency drills for fire, flooding, and damage control. Red Cross first aid certified. Survival skills training through the Navy and CASARA.

    Vanessa Waugh on the deck of a Royal Canadian Navy ship during Operation Latitude, with a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter airborne in the background
  • Search & Rescue Volunteer CASARA & PEP Air · 2023–present

    Civil air search and rescue operations across British Columbia and Ontario. Joint operations with the Air Force. Ground, ELT, and homing training.

Opportunities

  • Float and floatplane operations. If that's what you're hiring for, she genuinely wants this kind of flying.
  • Skydiving operations
  • Bush and remote operations
  • Regional and charter flying
  • Open to relocating across Canada

Beyond Flying

  • Has been riding horses since 2012. Full range of riding and barn work. The kind of physical, hands-on work that means she's comfortable doing more than just the job title.
  • Photography, hiking, and working out. Getting into golf.
  • Up for most things. She'll try something at least once before deciding it's not for her.
  • Known on deployment for lifting morale. She brings energy to a team without making it a thing.
  • Into reading, leadership, and training. Always picking something up.
Vanessa Waugh on horseback clearing a jump at a showjumping competition Vanessa Waugh on horseback at a showjumping competition