Heidi Hoefer grew up uniquely aware of the role aviation has played in the economy and building of the North and its industries.
In a heavily male-dominated industry, where women make up just five per cent of pilots, it's still an unlikely career path.

At 26, Hoefer obtained her commercial helicopter pilot's license, which will enable her to fly into remote locations, she said in an interview with Yellowknifer.

She won't be the first female pilot to grace the territory SA国际影视传媒� and not the first to fly helicopters SA国际影视传媒� but could become one of Yellowknife's only female pilots at her age.

Getting certified to be paid to fly is costly.

Hoefer had to save a small fortune to put herself through flight school SA国际影视传媒� all in around $80,000, she said.

If other Northern youth see aviation as a viable career option, she said, the North's flight careers can be staffed by more locals.

SA国际影视传媒淚 had to save a lot money to do it. It was a lot of understanding that it was an option. Because itSA国际影视传媒檚 so masculine dominated, it felt very unapproachable for a very long time,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Hoefer trained in Edmonton alongside a number of other female students.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was like, OK, other people are doing this. It's not an unrealistic goal,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Floating her education on two aviation scholarships, Hoefer received her certification this month.

SA国际影视传媒淣othing with helicopters is cheap. When I was 19 or 20, I did whatSA国际影视传媒檚 called a discovery flight. That alone was $500,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Hoefer isn't knocking fixed-wing planes, but helicopters have a certain allure, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think that's what the advantage of being in the North is. Everything is heavily dependent on aviation,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗elicopters are how you get into those really remote and interesting jobs. DonSA国际影视传媒檛 get me wrong, planes are great but itSA国际影视传媒檚 really easy to get stuck on a milk run.SA国际影视传媒�
A helicopter's license is SA国际影视传媒渁 great way to work in the bush,SA国际影视传媒� said Hoefer.

Inspired to follow her career dreams, Hoefer says she plans to speak to youth and inspire them to pursue aviation.

Greater diversity in flight school made pursuing aviation that much easier.

SA国际影视传媒淪eeing other women there, I knew I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to be a trailblazer, and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 think ISA国际影视传媒檇 have to be able to shape other peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 opinion,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was good to know there is a path ahead, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not easy and there are still guys who will second guess you or listen to a male student more seriously,SA国际影视传媒� said Hoefer.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 about having to prove that youSA国际影视传媒檙e just as capable as the next person,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Hoefer recently spoke at Sir John Franklin to a group of students, to increase Northern participation in the industry, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淣o matter where ISA国际影视传媒檓 at, the North will always be home and weSA国际影视传媒檙e really underestimated just as people,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

In her early career, Hoefer worked alongside pilots often.

SA国际影视传媒淰ery rarely did I meet a pilot that was from the North. All these (Northern) students here have a huge resource with funds and nobody is ever talking to these kids about aviation,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Helicopters play an important role in staking and exploration of mines, said Hoefer.

SA国际影视传媒淚t always felt so sad that (Northerners) were never considered and people were more than willing to bring up guys from the south and work in our backyard,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 have to give back to a place that gave me so much,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Hoefer is seeking work through a program designed for pilots just out of school to prove their skills and build hours.

In 2011, Yellowknife was awarded the most female friendly pilot airport by Women in Aviation International, a U.S. organization dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for those who strive for careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 not handed out willy-nilly and it's harder to come across female pilots,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

In a perfect world, Hoefer would start flying right away, she said, SA国际影视传媒渂ut with any company you start with, you wait and build your time and get up to their calibre.SA国际影视传媒�