We are so proud to announce that the architect and decade-long leader of Mayday-SA has been honoured with a prestigious award.
Wendy Santilhano was instrumental in the creation and promotion of Mayday-SA.
At the recent IFALPA (International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations) conference, Wendy was the recipient of the IFALPA Scroll of Merit for her work in the field of aviation wellbeing.
Jack Nedskar, the President of IFALPA, presented the award to Wendy, saying these words:
Tonight, we have the pleasure of recognizing Ms. Wendy Santilhano for her outstanding contribution to AVPA-SA and to the Federation and honour her for near two decades of volunteer service to the aviation industry.
In 2013, Wendy was awarded the AVPA South Africa Scroll of Merit for having made a significant contribution to the quality of service provided to the members of AVPA-SA by developing the Pilot Assistance Programme to support the emotional wellbeing of pilots. To quote that award, “Wendy has selflessly given many hours of her personal time, and combined her passion for helping people and her love of flying to develop a custom-made Pilot Assistance Programme. She has done extensive research and liaised with experts on the subject at both national and international level… “
She has continued her mission since then and hasn’t wavered in her dedication.
Over the years Wendy has remained committed and continues to make enormous contributions towards pilot wellbeing not only at AVPA-SA but also at IFALPA and ICAO.
As a result of her enthusiasm, energy, and her clear and strategic thinking around Peer Support, in 2016 she was also awarded by the Southern African Aerospace Medical Association as “having made the biggest contribution to South African Aerospace Medicine in the past 5 years“.
For her intrepid and dedicated work on this always challenging and often overlooked subject, we award Ms. Wendy Santilhano with the IFALPA Scroll of Merit.
The Scroll reads:
The International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations
Be it known that this
Scroll of Merit
is hereby awarded to
Ms. Wendy Santilhano
of the Airline Pilot Association - South Africa
for having served the Federation honourably and with distinction and for having made consistent contributions to the enhancement of aviation safety by promoting the art and science of air navigation and assisting in the general development of civil aviation.
Presented in Singapore by the Federation at its 76th Conference
Witness our hands and seal this 28th day of May 2022
