Information/feelings on women as pilots?

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03-29-2009, 08:56 PM

mattcube64

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Information/feelings on women as pilots?

Hi guys!
I'm a student at the University of Missouri- Columbia. For a journalism project, my group and I are working on a campaign to attract women into the field of aviation- specifically as pilots.
We're curious to hear why men make up the vast majority of pilots in both the military and in public transportation.
Is it sexism in the hiring process?
Is it a lack of advertising to get women's attention?
Are women not capable? Why not?
Is it something else, entirely?
***
If anyone can answer those questions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Also, can anyone point me in the direction of good information dealing with the training and hiring of women pilots?

Thanks for everyone's time!
Matthew M

03-29-2009, 09:10 PM

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Somebody better call the EOD for this one.

03-29-2009, 10:33 PM

FlyDL

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcube64

Hello Matthew;

I can't speak for the military or other air carriers, but Delta is actively encouraging and promoting the role of women as pilots.

Delta was a diamond level sponsor at the last Women in Aviation event, in Feb. 09, and in addition to sponsorship, we gave several type-rating scholarships to WIA members.
Delta looks favorably on membership status with Women in Aviation for pilot positions; and
I personally know a fairly good number of female pilots with Delta; one in particular was contacted by a major media outlet for a television interview (for a segment quite similar to your treatise above) asking about what it was like to be a female pilot. She declined the interview because she didn't view herself as a female pilot so much as she viewed herself as a Delta pilot, and that the show wouldn't advance either the cause of women or the cause of the airline.

The ratio of female to male pilots in the military and civil aviation has increased substantially in recent years, and hiring trends continue to lend preferential candidacy to qualified females.