THE Arabian Section of the Ninety-Nines 

“My path into aviation started with my father, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, who always encouraged me to “get out more” and explore the world. His advice stuck with me and led to a career I never imagined possible.

Hi, my name is Allison Couch. I have been fortunate to experience an incredible journey in aviation and constantly amazed by how much I’ve grown both professionally and personally. I graduated from flight school with a commercial pilot’s license, served as First Officer flying medevac missions in northern Canada, and fulfilled the role of Safety Manager for Coywolf Aviation, a corporate aircraft operator. I am now thrilled to be flying for Air Transat as First Officer on their Airbus A330 aircraft. Between all that, I was stretching myself way beyond my comfort zone, experiencing tense moments, working long hours, overcoming stressful situations and most importantly never giving up. In short—I was having the time of my life!

Back in 2014 the “travel bug” infected me, so I joined Emirates Airlines as a flight attendant and had the privilege to travel the world. It was during this time I connected with the remarkable ladies from the Arabian Section of The Ninety-Nines. Their support and camaraderie inspired me to take a leap of faith and pursue a career as a commercial pilot. So I again packed my bags, returned to Canada and enrolled full-time in professional flight training. I was determined to make the transition from flight attendant to commercial pilot.

I soon found myself flying medevac missions in northern Canada. Working in the challenging northern environment, I gained a heightened awareness to safety. Everyday was a new and rewarding experience that further stretched my comfort zone. In the dead of winter and bitter cold seeing those living in remote communities relying on us to deliver urgent medical services, and trusting us to safely transport family members to medical care centres was both humbling and motivating.

Now, I am proudly flying for Air Transat to destinations in Europe, the Caribbean and beyond.

Along the way, I earned a Master’s Degree in Aviation Management acquiring new skills and a wealth of knowledge about the aviation industry. Beyond my work in the flight deck, I am passionate about giving back to the community. I’ve had the honour of mentoring aspiring young pilots, and volunteer my time in the local aviation community.

As a mother of a new-born son, balancing a demanding career and family life has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding. My husband, who is also a pilot, has been a constant source of support and together we navigate the demands of both our careers and family life. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had and look forward to helping others achieve their dreams in aviation, as I too continue to grow and learn.”