Silva McLeod

Last updated
Silva McLeod
Born1961 (age 63–64)
Pangaimotu
Other namesVaisiliva McLeod
Occupation(s)Pilot, writer
Years active1992 to present
Employer(s)Royal Tongan Airlines

Aeropelican Air Services
Royal Flying Doctor Service

Virgin International
Known forTonga'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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Marcus, Lilit (2023-07-28). "She grew up in an island hut with no running water or electricity. Now she's a pilot". CNN. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "High flyer - Tonga's first female airline pilot". RNZ. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  3. 1 2 Krishnamurthi, Sri (2023-05-10). "Fantasy like Moana? 'No, I just wanted to tell my story,' says Tongan pilot | Asia Pacific Report" . Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  4. 1 2 "'Why can't I be a man?' - The struggle to become Tonga's first female airline pilot". NZ Herald. 2025-01-12. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  5. 1 2 "Silva McLeod | National Women in Transport". Women in Transport. 2024-10-16. Archived from the original on 16 October 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  6. ↑ Weekly, The Australian Women's (2023-11-24). "Silva McLeod: Her story of love and sacrifice | AWW". The Australian Women's Weekly. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  7. ↑ Australia, Aviation Aerospace. "Silva Mcleod Island Girl to Airline Pilot Book Launch". www.aviationaerospace.org.au. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  8. ↑ Newsdesk (2023-05-10). "Island Girl to Airline Pilot: A Story of Love, Sacrifice and Taking Flight, by Silva Mcleod". TALANOA 'O TONGA. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
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