Women are vastly under-represented in the aviation and aerospace sectors and while change has been slow, new education policies and more visible role models are shifting the status quo. Frances Cook spoke to the UK's Royal Aeronautical Society and Women 1st to find out what barriers exist and what can be done to address the gender imbalance.

It is difficult to believe that in the 21st century, with so much emphasis o­n gender equality in the workplace, that women are so vastly under-represented in the aviation and aerospace sectors. While women are very visible in customer service and administrative roles - in the UK around two-thirds of ticketing and sales personnel are female - behind the closed doors of the cockpits, the hangars and the board rooms, it is a very different story.

The tight-knit EAA community helped bring 19-year-old Philipp Stute of Friedrichshafen, Germany, to the Kermit Weeks Flight Research Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to work o­n EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast as a maintenance volunteer!

Good news and bad news from EASA.
Their Draft Opinion o­n NPA-2011-16, ‘Qualifications for flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions’, has been published and takes o­n board some important suggestions made by IAOPA Europe. In particular, it has acceded to the suggestion that pilots converting from ICAO-compliant instrument ratings such as the FAA IR should not need to sit written theory exams. Instead, they will simply need to demonstrate adequate knowledge to the Examiner during their Skill Test. Nick Wilcock of AOPA UK reports: “Conversion of suitably experienced pilots holding ICAO IRs wishing to convert to the new ‘competency-based’ IR should be much simpler, requiring no written exams. Instead, the IR Skill Test will include an assessment by the Examiner to confirm that the applicant has the relevant theoretical knowledge for the C-B IR.”    
Overall, the document remains both prescriptive and bureaucratic. Wilcock adds: “Regrettably, the Agency has failed both to comply with the EASA Management Board’s call for greater rulemaking flexibility and to note the Commission’s flexible response in other areas of aviation legislation. It has also failed to recognise that there is no safety case to justify the exclusion of the provisions of JAR-FCL 1.175(b) in the Aircrew Regulation (which allow national authorities greater flexibility in their own airspace). We will work with all other organisations to demand their inclusion.”    
The Draft Opinion also confirms that EASA has no time for specific national requirements such as the UK’s ‘IMC Rating’, which is credited with contributing so much to Britain’s enviable safety rate. Together with other associations, AOPA UK will be continuing its campaign to allow future pilots to gain the lifesaving skills the IMC Rating provides – a campaign which has the full support of the UK CAA.

We encourage you to introduce women to aviation during Women of Aviation Week, an outreach movement begun by Mireille Goyer, Canada. Flights that take place between March 5-11 should be logged o­n her website at www.womenofaviationweek.org in order to tally the total and allow both female first flight timers and pilots to be eligible for prizes. In conjunction with the reenactment of Harriet Quimby's flight across the English Channel 100 years ago, Mireille's goal is to have these flights performed in 100 locations o­n March 10. Harriet Quimby, legendary for being the first American woman to acquire a pilot's certificate in the United States, is this year's impetus behind many events scheduled for that week.

Reserve Saturday, March 10th to fly a woman, whether young or just young at heart, and acquaint her with the joy of flight. Who knows how she will see the world after sharing the passion.

March 18, 2011 — NASA debuted this week its new website that celebrates women’s contributions to science and exploration.

The Women at NASA website was developed to encourage more young women to pursue careers in math, science, and technology. Through a collection of videos and articles, the Women@NASA project shares the stories of 32 women across the agency who contribute to NASA’s mission in many ways.

http://women.nasa.gov/

On March 23rd, the US Consulate General in Naples hosted a conference o­n the subject of Women in the Military. Female members of the US Air Force and Navy joined female members of the Italian Air Force, Navy, Army, Guardia di Finanza and Carabinieri, in order to share personal experiences and discuss the strides that both Italy and the US have made toward equal opportunities within their respective Armed Forces.

http://naples.usconsulate.gov/news-events/women-military.html

120 delegates from Europe and the United States gathered at RAF Northolt in West London last week for the 3rd annual BA-Meetup conference.

Christened the 'un-conference' by this year's attendees - in appreciation of it's informal and social atmosphere - the BA-Meetup brought business aviation professionals together in a wide-ranging programme of education and debate ranging from Operations, Scheduling and FBO Management to Marketing, Catering and Ground Transportation.

http://www.blueskynews.aero./issue118/ba-meetup_montage.htm

Come Join us!

“The world's women are nearly as educated and as healthy as men, but are nowhere to be found in terms of decision-making,"
Saadia Zahidi, World Economic Forum- Davos summit January, 2010

Why Should You Attend?

If women are catching up with men in almost all facets of life, why can’t you breach the gap to destiny fulfilment in the Aviation industry? We all clamour to get ‘there’. Are you working towards becoming an echelon in the industry? Be an agent to promote and deal with change; reinvent your career and find the incline to the development of women in the Aviation industry.

The Leadership Development For Women In Aviation, Africa  (LDWAA) conference scheduled for the 17& 18 August, 2010 will feature nationally recognised speakers who share their wisdom and expertise o­n a wide range of personal and professional development topics, helping you find clarity o­n your goals and what you need to accomplish them.

What is International Learn to Fly Day? International Learn to Fly Day was announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 as an effort to increase interest in flying and to encourage the aviation community to get others involved in Aviation.

Share the Spirit - Take someone flying!     Live the Dream - Discover Flying!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[May 5, 2010]

Women in Corporate Aviation Announces International Career EBACE Scholarship Winner

Women in Corporate Aviation, International (WCA) is pleased to announce the presentation of the 2010 EBACE International Career Scholarship to Kajuju Laiboni. In addition to a $1000.00(USD) scholarship, Kajuju will also receive conference and travel expenses to attend the 10th Annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition conference (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland where the scholarship will be presented.

“The women are going to organize … we don’t know what for.” --unknown newspaper columnist, November 2, 1929

Eighty years ago, 26 women pilots met in a hangar at Curtis Airport in Valley Stream, Long Island, NY, for the purpose of creating an organization “just for women pilots.”

Have you heard of a group called Women in Aviation International, known as WAI?  Not yet?  Well in America, they are a tremendous organisation, created in 1990, with over 14,000 members, major interest and sponsorship from leading aviation companies in the US and annual conferences offering you the chance to advance your career significantly in the space of a weekend.  We hope to create the same volume of support over here in Britain, but we need your help. 

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is delighted to announce the launch of a major new report - "The Future for Women in Aviation and Aerospace."  This specialist report has been prepared by the newly established RAeS Women in Aviation and Aerospace Committee. The Report and the new committee will be officially launched at the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Conference (sponsored by Airbus UK) which takes place at the Society’s conference centre at 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ o­n 16th October.

Press release, the Report, the programme for the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Conference and the Conference Report. 

August 2, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin  - It's an unlikely path to ownership, but Ed Sweeney contends that it makes perfect sense. A pioneer in electric remote control aircraft in the late 1960s, Ed always had a fascination for things that fly. In 1970, he made his first trip to the annual EAA Fly-In Convention and was an early adopter of hang gliders and what was to become the ultralight movement. His twin-engine Hummingbird was a hit and with its panoramic view, Ed's next airplane was really no surprise: a twin-engine Partenavia P68 Observer-the model where the nose doubles as a windscreen.

August 1, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin  - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh witnessed yet another launch of a new program targeted at promoting general aviation and increasing the pilot population.

The idea to start Women Aviators in Africa came after attending the Aviation and Women Europe conference in Norway last September. Attending the conference gave me a sense of understanding of what awaited me in my future career as a pilot. I also learnt a lot about other careers within the aviation sector that I did not have prior knowledge about. The mentorship, support and encouragement I got from the women at the conference, gave me the confidence to aim higher in my goals. Looking back at my continent, where young people, and especially women look as their dreams go down the drain, I felt that such an organization was necessary to avail girls and women alike with information, mentorship and when possible sponsorship to pursue their passions. Read more

             

In an effort to allow foreign flight school students to continue flight training in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said that it will create a new visa category, M, to replace the J-1 visa, which is set to end in June 2010.

An integral part of the Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference is the disbursement of scholarship funds to its members. At its just completed 19th Annual International WAI Conference, a total of nearly $700,000 (revised number) was awarded to 60 women and men at its banquet March 15, 2008, in San Diego, California.

17/6/2007,
The Parashow 2007 closes with Annalisa Di Tecco winner of the second City of Aquino Trophy at the National Female Skydiving Accuracy Championships, second Rosalinda Rusconi and third place Daniela D’Angelo, all from the Army.

THE ITALIAN AIRFORCE's FIRST FEMALE HELICOPTER PILOTS!

The Lieutenant Pilots Donatella Caforio and Ida Casetti are rated o­n the NH-500E
Magg. Orfeo Rossi - 72° Stormo - Frosinone, Italy 2nd March 2007

AOPA Italy's website http://www.aopa.it has added a new feature that will be of great interest to all IAOPA Europe members, writes AOPA-Italy president Massimo Levy.

Under the 'utilities' menu we have uprated the 'Google maps' page that allows pilots to visualise satellite images of more than 10.000 aerodromes around the world.

If you find yourself in Noordwijk, The Netherlands check out the 2nd Space and Society Conference Space Options for the 21st Century.

Egypt Air Rally AOPA Egypt is organising the fifth annual Egypt Aero Rally in April, offering all European pilots an opportunity to fly in this magnificent country with minimum difficulty and maximum safety and enjoyment.

The Fournier Club is 20 years old and held its anniversary meeting at Gap in the French Alps.

Fournier aircraft from all over Europe attended.

Fresh from the press:
For Immediate Release 19th February 2007

18th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference Draws Largest Crowd Ever!

Taken from the IAOPA-Europe e-newsletter, January 2007

The European Commission has ordered states to conform to standard tax levels o­n general aviation fuel in an extraordinary decision which threatens to damage flight training, end alternative fuel research and drive more general aviation companies to the wall.

Taken from the IAOPA-Europe e-newsletter, November 2006:

for more information visit IAOPA

To become a pilot for the Italian Army means to reach a high level of excellence.

Pilots and technicians are chosen from active Army Officers.

Are you Italian? Do you wish to enrol in the Italian Army? Do you wish to become a pilot for the Italian Army?

If you have answered yes to more than o­ne question read o­n to learn how.

IGC (International Gliding Commission) has again requested Gill Van den Broeck to function as "steward" at next 4th World Women Gliding championships 2007 in Romorantin, France.

"Of course I have accepted" Gill

I have just returned from Rieti where I participated in the Mediterranean International Gliding Competition (CIM) from August 3rd to the 13th in the 15 mt. class.

A graduate of University of Limerick, Ruth Bagnell is the youngest Quality Manager of a Part 145 organisation in Ireland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering in 2003 and was quickly snapped up to become Engineering & Planning Manager of Airlink Airways. In 2004, she was the Technical Services Manager for the same airline.

Hi Ladies!

I want to mention about a meeting, which I joined last week o­n 25th of October. I’m an individual member of European Federation of Airline Dispatchers Associations (EUFALDA) and International Federation of Airline Dispatchers Associations (IFALDA). I’m in a nomination committee of EUFALDA.

Michelle Bassanesi was representing AWE at the 60th Anniversary of Aviatrissa in Moscow 8th-12th Sept. 2005.

Congratulations! What a decade! How far they have come! And more o­n the way! AWE is very happy to have been part of the Broken Baron's 10th Anniversary Celebration at Serristori airfield, near Arezzo.

Michelle Bassanesi was present and interviewed during the 33rd CAP (Italian EAA Chapter) Meeting in Ferrara 3rd-4th September 2005.

First action following 1st AWE Conference has been the activation of this website, www.aweu.org.