Women in Aviation This is our Women in Aviation section. We encourage women to get involved in flying, this is a wonderful activity and career to get into. Times have changed in this business, unlike 10 or 15 years ago, women are now well respected in pilot circles, with pay and opportunities now equal to men. Aviation is a bit ahead of some other industries, probably because most people involved are intelligent and professional, and do not let the gender affect how they treat other pilots. While you will still from time to time run across a Neanderthal who is still living in the middle ages, that is by far the exception and not the rule. As a pilot, you get respect for your position and qualifications and are treated as an equal. Here are two web sites you might find interesting. It is a great group to join if you're wanting to meet other women also interested in helicopters. The Whirly-Girls is a non-profit, educational and charitable organization dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation. The Whirly-Girls organization is a non-profit 501(c)(3), educational and charitable organization dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation through the industry’s largest pool of annual scholarships while providing women helicopter pilots a forum for the exchange of information and opportunities. Membership is open to all women around the world who are rated helicopter pilots. As of 2006, there are more than 1,430 Whirly-Girls from 45 countries. Whirly-Girls was formed in 1955 by Jean Ross Howard Phelan, who wanted to build a community where female helicopter pilots to share and grow. Today it has grown to include the largest source of scholarships for female helicopter pilots. Membership is open to any woman with a helicopter license. Additionally, the Whirly-Girls Auxiliary is available to those who are not eligible for regular membership. Membership affords you access to exclusive areas of the website, including job listings and networking opportunities. http://www.whirlygirls.org Women in Aviation, International is the fastest growing aviation organization dedicated to encouraging young people to consider aviation careers as well as providing networking opportunities for women and men through the aviation industry. Women have been involved in aviation since its earliest days. From E. Lillian Todd, who designed and built aircraft in 1906 to Helen Richey, who became the first woman pilot for a U.S. commercial airline in 1934, woman have assumed a variety of roles in the industry. At the close of the 20th century, Astronaut Eileen Collins became the first female Space Shuttle Commander. During the last two decades, the number of women involved in the aviation industry has steadily increased and women can be found in nearly every aviation occupation today. However, the numbers are small by comparison. Women pilots, for example, represent only six percent of the total pilot population. At the first Annual International Women in Aviation Conference in 1990, participants recognized the need for more women in the industry and for a support group to serve as mentors, advisors and interested colleagues. Following a number of successful conferences, Women in Aviation, International (WAI) was established as a professional, non-profit organization in 1994 to address those needs. Today, WAI has more than 4,800 members worldwide, including aviation professionals, students and enthusiasts. Women and men from all segments of the industry, including general, corporate and commercial aviation, education, government and the military, are eligible for WAI membership. Due to a strong commitment in promoting women in the aviation industry, WAI has gained wide recognition. This recognition is evident from partnerships with NASA, the FAA and other organizations. With the expansion of the aviation industry, the shortage of qualified professionals, and support of equal opportunity employment practices, the airlines are actively recruiting more women and minorities into their workforces. The time has never been better to start training for a career in aviation! In the United States, the number of women in the aviation industry is growing overall. The FAA reports that almost 6% of the approximately 700,000 active pilots in the United States are women. Of the more than 540,000 non-pilot aviation related jobs, including airline mechanics and dispatchers, 2.13 % are women and the number is steadily increasing. http://www.wiai.org/