🏆 7th Year
All-female Elevate Aviation team
🗓️ November 12, 2026
Competition date
📍 Toronto, Ontario
Event location
🔧 AME Skills Challenge
Hosted by the AME Association of Ontario
For more information, contact:
Cassandra Derks, Team Lead – AME Competitions
Elevate Aviation is proud to send an all-female team to compete in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) Skills Challenge, hosted by the AME Association of Ontario on November 12, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario.
The AME Association of Ontario is one of six regional non-profit associations across Canada dedicated to supporting and advancing the aircraft maintenance profession. Their Skills Challenge showcases the talents of AMEs, students, and technicians in a friendly, high-energy competition that promotes the industry and inspires the next generation of aviation professionals.
Alisha Bhangle is a Transport Canada Airworthiness Inspector, responsible for overseeing the Pacific Region to ensure aircraft are safely maintained and compliant with regulations. As a licensed M1 and M2 AME, Alisha has worked in the aviation industry for over 12 years. Recognizing the need for mentorship, she co-founded a not-for-profit called “Hangar Queens”, the first female AME network in Canada. She is proudly part of the 2.8% of female Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) in Canada. Alisha is passionate about giving back to the industry and enjoys promoting aviation career options to young women.
Cassandra Derks is an M1/M2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with 11+ years in aviation and an AME licence since 2019. Her career has taken her from hands-on maintenance to leadership and management roles across commercial, regional, and northern aviation operations.
A passionate advocate for women in aviation, Cassandra thrives on mentorship, teamwork, and creating strong, inclusive hangar environments. She believes the best teams are built by bringing together different experiences, strengths, and perspectives.
As Elevate Aviation’s AME competition coordinator, Cassandra will lead the all-women AME competition team heading to Ontario. Cassandra is proud to represent the incredible talent of women in aircraft maintenance. She’s ready to challenge the team, support their growth, and, most importantly, have some fun while showing exactly what women in aircraft maintenance can do.
Delaini Wills is an M1-rated Aircraft Maintenance Engineer whose aviation journey has taken her from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica. With over a decade in the industry, she has experienced firsthand the incredible opportunities that aviation can offer and the remarkable places it can take you.
Today, Delaini works as a Learning Specialist with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, where she helps prepare the next generation of aircraft assemblers and supports career development within the company. She is passionate about sharing knowledge, building confidence in new professionals, and helping others discover opportunities within the aviation industry.
As a returning member of the Elevate team, Delaini is excited to continue advocating for women in aviation through mentorship, encouragement, and meaningful connection. She believes that representation, support, and shared experiences are powerful tools for inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals.
Naampreet Kaur is an AME Apprentice who loves working with her hands and solving problems. Aviation challenges Naampreet every day, and she is passionate about learning, growing, and becoming the best aircraft technician she can be.
She competed on the Elevate Aviation all-women AME team last season and won the top female competitor award at the 2026 Canadian AME Competition at the AAD Conference.
This year’s team is proudly supported by
Team Sponsors
De Havilland
Supporting Delaini
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