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More than 200 years after the first woman flew and more than 100 years after Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman to earn a pilot licence worldwide on March 8, 1910, the air and space industry continues to be severely gender unbalanced. Less than five per cent of all airline pilots are women, around two per cent of aircraft mechanics are women, and approximately 10 per cent of aeronautical engineers are women.
Numerous studies have identified that the male-only image of the industry leads qualified female candidates to overlook a career in the industry.
During Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, March 3-9, 2014, an estimated 30,000 girls and women will be welcomed at air and space facilities located on four continents. Thanks to numerous hands-on interactive activities organized by aviation enthusiasts and professionals, they will learn that this exciting and rewarding industry is eager to include them.
The year 2014 marks two major milestones for the women of aviation: 100 years since Lidia Zvereva of Russia became the first woman to fly an aerobatic maneuver worldwide, and 50 years since Geraldine Mock of the United States became the first woman to fly solo around the world.
To celebrate these milestones and raise awareness among the female population of the significant and long standing contributions of women to aviation advancement, the interviews of outstanding women of aviation such as Geraldine Mock, CarolAnn Garratt, Carole Pilon, Jacquie Varda, Carol Pilon, and Jana McWhorter will be broadcast free of charge during the week at https://new.livestream.com/womenofaviation.
“Recently, the industry has been vocal about impending shortages of qualified aeronautic employees,” said Mireille Goyer, an airline transport rated pilot and the founder of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide (iWOAW). “Searching for talent within only half of the population is very limiting. We hope that the many events taking place during the week will begin to broaden the talent pool, fuel growth, and enhance quality.”
