New 99s president a first

For the first time in its 93-year history, the International Organization of Women Pilots, The Ninety-Nines, has elected a pilot who is not from the United States as the organization’s president.

Robin Hadfield, from Utopia, Ontario, Canada, will serve as president through 2024.

“As the president of the 99s, my life just got very busy,” she said.

Hadfield started flying in 1979 when she went on a $5 introductory flight.

“In one way or another, aviation has dominated my life ever since,” she said.

In 1980, flying a Pitts S2, she competed in her first aerobatic competition. From 1981-1987 Hadfield and her husband Dave Hadfield were co-directors of the Canadian National Aerobatic Championships.

With her background in general aviation, she has been consulted by the federal government for aviation, focusing on women and flight schools.

Hadfield is also a search coordinator with the national CASARA SAR unit.

For the past 12 years she has been the WWII Air Show Coordinator for eight warbirds and five vintage aircraft of the Mike Potter Aircraft Collection/Vintage Wings of Canada.

The Hadfield family is one of Canada’s most well-known aviation families. It includes Colonel Chris Hadfield, commander of the International Space Station, three generations of airline pilots, and a total of eight pilots in the family.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the airport with her RV-6A or Fairchild 24W46. She is also an avid sailor.