Canadian Aviatrix #63 – Connie Culver (1919-2000)

Constance Culver was born in 1919 in Simcoe, Ontario, to Ernest Leroy Culver (a farmer) and Ada Vanderburg.

Connie graduated from Simhoe School when she was 16 and worked at Woolworth’s. She was the first female member of the Brant-Norfolk Aero Club to go solo – after just four hours of instruction.

Connie’s brother, George, was also a pilot and her father’s farm was suitable for private flying operations, including barnstorming. Before even passing her test, Connie bought her own plane (a Taylor Cub with registration CF-CBY) and George flew it home for her.

On 21 February 1939, Connie passed her flying test and received her PPL, making her the 63rd female pilot in Canada. She was 19 years old.

Photo: The Brantford Expositor (December 19, 1938)

On 17 May 1940, Connie became the 13th women to hold a commercial pilot’s license in Canada. She offered her services to the Department of National Defence, but they said they weren’t taking women pilots.

On 1 December 1945, Connie married Ernest Harry Cubitt (RCMP constable, known as Ernie). They honeymooned in Niagara Falls, lived in Toronto and had four children.

Connie died in 2000, aged 81.