Image: WAI
Women in Aviation International wrapped up their 29th annual conference last week, in Reno, Nevada, with more than 3,200 in attendance during the three-day event. Highlights included the distribution of more than $695,000 in scholarships to 142 WAI members, providing funds for both academic studies and flight training. The conference also featured Girls in Aviation Day, hosting more than 200 local girls, including Girl Scouts, to introduce them to possible aviation careers. “These girls represent the next generation of women who will work in the aviation and aerospace industry,” said Peggy Chabrian, WAI president. “For some girls, Girls in Aviation Day is their first exposure to aviation and airplanes.”
Other aviation events were held to honor Women’s History Month, including the 8th annual Women of Aviation Worldwide Week, which provided a first flight in a small aircraft to more than 12,000 girls around the world. “The Fly It Forward initiative aims to close the startling occupational gender gap in the air and space industry,” says WAWW. “108 years after women’s official debut in the industry, the most iconic occupation, airline pilot, remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. Globally, less than 3 percent of commercial pilots are women.” NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt also recognized the contributions of women to aviation safety in a blog post at the safety board’s website. Next year’s WAI conference will be held March 14-16, 2019, in Long Beach, California.
