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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Lindsay Kitson wins the 2013 First-to-Solo Challenge

29 April, 2013 in Headlines by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

(left to right) First-to-Solo Challenge Winner, Lindsay, and her instructor, Sandra

(left to right) First-to-Solo Challenge Winner, Lindsay, and her instructor, Sandra

During the 2013 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week – March 4 to 10 2013 – that attracted more than 17,000 girls and women to air and space facilities across four continents, pilots flew balloons, ultra-lights, airplanes, seaplanes, and helicopters to introduce 5,316 girls and women to the magic of flight in a small aircraft with the hope to spark many vocations.

More than 77% of the girls and women attending said that they would consider undertaking an activity in aviation for pleasure or for a career as a result of their experience.

To encourage them to take the next step, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide holds an annual First-to-Solo Challenge to reward the first eligible girl or woman that solos with an awesome prize.

The 2013 prize package worth more than $700 includes a Sennheiser S1 Passive headset, equipment needed for the cross-country phase of training, gold plated pilot wings, and Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week gear such as the official all-season jacket and the official backpack.

St Andrews Airport located in the greater Winnipeg area, Manitoba, Canada, won the 2013 ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport Worldwide’ title when the aviation community rallied around event organizer, Jill Oakes, to introduce 680 girls and women to flying during the week. Among the lucky first time flyers was Lindsay Kitson.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of flight, but never imagined I could actually do it myself,” said Kitson in the form required to become eligible for the First-to-Solo Challenge. “I realized that the only reason I had never tried was because I was afraid people would laugh at me for wanting to. And once I realized that, then I couldn’t not try.”

At the time, Kitson was planning on starting flight lessons at the beginning of April. Instead, she began flying lessons at Harv’s Air, one of the iWOAW Certified Women Friendly Training centers, just two days after her first flight.

On April 17 2013, Sandra Proulx, an experienced Harv’s Air Class 1 flight instructor, knew that Kitson was ready to fly the Cessna 152 alone. So, she stepped out of the airplane to watch Kitson fly and land the airplane on her own perfectly.

“I’ve always loved teaching, and sharing my love of flying with others (it) is why I’m still instructing 9 years later,” said Proulx. “Lindsay has been very focused in getting her flight training done. She always comes prepared for her lessons and is very active in her learning. We are working at basically a full time schedule. I anticipate that if things continue, we should have her private pilot flight test completed by the end of the month.”

“We congratulate Lindsay Kitson, Sandra Proulx, Harv’s Air and the entire St Andrews Airport Community for this amazing success,” says Mireille Goyer, President of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide. “While many believe that a never-ending string of scholarship offerings will foster aviation vocations, we, at the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide, are demonstrating that vocations are born from passion instead. It is our true privilege to reward passionate individuals with a can-do attitude with the many prizes that our member-partners and friends make available annually to participants of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week.”

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Aviation records fall during the 3rd annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week

3 April, 2013 in Headlines by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

From March 4 to March 10 2013, over 2,100 volunteers across four continents – Africa, Asia, America, and Europe – introduced more than 17,000 girls and women to the opportunities available in the air and space industry as part of the Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week celebration, held annually during the week of March 8, anniversary date of the first female pilot license worldwide.

Helicopter pilot, Mary Ellen, gives a preflight briefing

Helicopter pilot, Mary Ellen, gives a preflight briefing

Studies have demonstrated that a key barrier to women’s participation in the technical fields of the air and space industry – approximately 12% overall; 5% for pilots – is the lack of awareness of the opportunities available to them. Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week aims to foster diversity in aviation by celebrating history, raising awareness, and sparking vocations among the female population.

Nothing can spark aviation vocations like experiencing the magic and sensations of flight in a small aircraft. Many of 74 events included an invitation for girls and women to try flight in a small aircraft.

A first flight changes perspectives

333 pilots flew 109 types of aircraft for more than 1,500 hours – enough hours to fly 12 times around the globe in a small aircraft – in order to introduce 5,316 girls and women to flying. For reference, the largest female airline pilot rated population resides in the United States and totaled 5,818 in 2012.

Friendly competitions held as part of the Fly-It-Forward Challenge reward aviation enthusiasts that excel at enticing their local female population to discover the air and space industry.

The most coveted title, ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport Worldwide’, is awarded annually to the airport community that offers and documents the most female first flight experiences in approved aircraft throughout the week.

In 2012, more than 400 flights allowed Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, Canada, to win the title. The top three contenders in 2013 orchestrated more than 500 flights each.

Fun in St Andrews, MB, Canada

Fun in St Andrews, MB, Canada

Led by event organizer, Jill Oakes, the St Andrews Airport Community in the greater Winnipeg area, Manitoba, Canada, wins the ’2013 Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport Worldwide’ title with a whopping 680 documented introductory flights in approved aircraft.

80 local businesses and associations supported the event that offered far more than just flights to the close to 3,000 attendees. Prominent Women Of Aviation were on hand to inspire and answer questions, instructors operating 4 simulators gave hands-on experience to the girls and women, local flight schools and associations informed attendees about the next steps, and potential employers presented all the options available.

Oakes won the $1,000 training prize awarded to the organizer responsible for the event yielding the most effectiveness and outreach overall. Number of flights, number of volunteers, number of women who take the next step and amount of press coverage are a few of the criteria to win the prize.

“The end result is about 40 gals signed up for ground school,” said Oakes.

Kirsten

Kirsten Brazier returning after one of her many flights

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, is the first runner up in the category with 634 flights and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, the second runner up with 517 flights. Frederick, Maryland, USA, retains its honorary title of ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport in the USA’ with 342 flights.

Female pilot friendly regions stood up as well. The province of Ontario in Canada was responsible for more than 1,400 flights; Washington State totaled more than 400 flights between events in Seattle and Twisp.

Acknowledging that creating excitement is only the first step to increasing diversity in aviation, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide created a new title in 2013: ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide’. This title is awarded to the training center that fosters the most female introductory flights during the week.

Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre, based at the Kitchener-Waterloo airport in Ontario, Canada, won the world title with 517 flights. The first runner up is Calhoun Air Center based in Victoria, Texas, USA. Rounding out the top three is Rockcliffe Flying Club in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Astronaut Pam Melroy and an astronaut-to-be

Astronaut Pam Melroy and an astronaut-to-be

“Engaged individuals at all levels is what has made the Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week initiative the largest female outreach aviation program ever created,” says Mireille Goyer, founder of the initiative and President of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide.

While the average number of introductory flights per pilot was 15, one third of the pilots went beyond the average. The ‘Most Dedicated Female Pilot Worldwide’ and the ‘Most Supportive Male Pilot Worldwide’ titles salute the most prolific pilots.

Bush pilot, Kirsten Brazier, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, initiated 180 girls and women to flying to earn the ’2013 Most Dedicated Female Pilot Worldwide’ title for the second year in a row. First and second runners up were respectively, Megan Tyler, Northwest Territories, Canada, and Dianna Stanger, Port Lavaca, Texas, USA.

To win the ‘Most Supportive Male Pilot Worldwide’ title, Frank Roberts of St Andrews, Manitoba, Canada, flew 302 girls and women. Geoff Furniss and Glen Sibbeston, both from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, took the first and second runner up positions.

Many prizes offered by the partners and friends of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide were distributed to pilots, volunteers, female first time flyers, and contest winners.

New records were set in all categories and constitute the new reference numbers to win a title during the 4th annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide to be held from March 3 to March 9, 2014.

On September 9, 1913, Pyotr Nikolayevich Nesterov was the first pilot to perform an aerobatic maneuver, the loop. For this he was disciplined with ten days of close arrest, ostensibly “for risking government property”. A few months later in May 1914, Lidia Zvereva, the first Russian woman to earn a pilot license, became the first female aerobatic pilot worldwide when she performed a loop in a Morane airplane. To honor all female aerobatic pilots, the week’s 2014 theme will be: 100 years of female aerobatic pilots.

Click here to view all award and prize winners.

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Over 17,000 girls and women discover aviation during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week

14 March, 2013 in Headlines by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Over 17,000 girls and women discover opportunities in the air and space
industry at more than 70 events on four continents during the 3rd annual
Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week and 5,300 of them take flight in
a small aircraft for the first time.

They came by the hundreds in Waterloo, ON, Canada

17,000+ girls and women attending events worldwide

5,300+ girls and women took flight in a small aircraft for the first time

2,500+ viewed the live stream broadcast with astronaut Chris Hadfield, astronaut Pam Melroy, NASA scientist Manta Patel Nagaraja, and MDA Space Missions robot operator and engineer Natalie Panek

64,000+ visited the official website (preceding & event week)

26,000+ weekly reach on Facebook (preceding & event week)

4 continents: Africa, Asia, America, Europe

From March 4 to March 10 2013, people across four continents – Africa, Asia, America, and Europe – celebrated the 3rd annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week organized by the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide, a global not-for-profit consortium of businesses and organizations.

Studies have demonstrated that a key barrier to women’s participation in the technical fields of the air and space industry – approximately 12% overall; 5% for pilots – is the lack of awareness of the opportunities available to them.

Indeed, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide‘s survey among the girls and women attending events found that more than 76% of them had never thought of seeking information about aviation activities before hearing about the 2013 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week.

Held annually during the week of March 8, anniversary date of the first female pilot certificate worldwide, Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week aims to foster diversity in aviation by celebrating history, raising awareness, and sparking vocations as girls and women are introduced to aviation during female-centric events offering aviation related activities and/or discovery flights in small aircraft.

Titusville, FL, USA

After flying over Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, FL, USA

Sparking vocations it did. More than 77% of the girls and women attending said that they would consider undertaking an activity for pleasure or for a career in aviation as a result of their experience.

“My career goals were tweaked by the event, in a very exciting way!” declared Barbara, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. “I would want to work on plane design, like the body or engine,” adds Shivana, Titusville, FL, USA.

Pilots flew balloons, ultra-lights, airplanes, seaplanes, and helicopters for more than 1,500 hours to introduce over 5,300 girls and women to flying worldwide. Lora, of San Carlos, CA, USA, noted that the pilots were “warm, articulate, full of knowledge and experience and made it exciting.”

Among the girls and women who experienced flight in a small aircraft for the first time during the week, 66% of them wanted to, first and foremost, learn to fly in the future.

Gonzales, LA, USA

Madeline, 9, discovers flying in Gonzales, LA, USA

When asked to name the three best aspects of the event, Lora, Yellowknife, NT, Canada, responded: “Flying Flying Flying!” For Rebecca of Northampton, MA, USA, one of the many mothers who took advantage of the opportunity to introduce their daughters to aviation, the best aspect was: “Hearing my 6 year old’s voice over the headset saying “Wow!” in that perfect voice of true amazement.”

For Lindsey of Frederick, MD, USA, the highlight was: “Hearing astronaut Pam speak. That was so amazing and inspiring.” As part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the first female flight in space, retired Air Force test pilot and astronaut, Pam Melroy, was one of four accomplished guests of the space industry invited to speak.

Pam_Melroy_Speech1_sml

Astronaut Pam Melroy

She was joined by astronaut Chris Hadfield onboard the International Space Station, NASA scientist, Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja, and MDA Space Missions engineer, Natalie Panek. Their speeches were broadcast live over the internet and available to all free of charge. An estimated 2,500 persons viewed the presentations at events and individually.

“The grassroots enthusiasm for welcoming more women into the industry is overwhelming and growing exponentially annually. Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week is simply the biggest flying girl party on the planet,” says Mireille Goyer who launched the popular initiative in 2010 and is the President of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide. “We invite government and industry to embrace the initiative with the same enthusiasm in the coming years.”

The Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week celebration includes various challenges and contests. Titles, trophies, and prizes are awarded annually. The names of winners will be announced on April 3, 2013.

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Girls across 4 continents come together to interact with 3 amazing women of space

1 March, 2013 in Headlines, Latest News by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

On March 9 2013, a retired Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut, a NASA scientist, and a MDA space engineer will answer questions that girls and women who registered to go on their first flight asked.

LiveAt events or at home, girls and women will have a chance to view the presentations live streamed on the internet from Frederick, MD, USA and Ottawa, ON, Canada.

The day of inspiring life choices and experiences shared by three accomplished women will begin at 9:00 AM Eastern Time (14:00 GMT) and will continue until 3:30 PM Eastern (20:30 GMT).

9 AM Eastern Time (14:00 GMT) – Dr. Manta Patel Nagaraja, NASA space scientist

Mamta_Patel_Nagaraja

Dr. Manta Patel Nagaraja

Dr. Manta Patel Nagaraja holds doctorate in biomedical engineering and has a long and varied career at NASA. She trained astronauts who flew aboard both the U.S. Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS), became a certified flight controller for the communications system of the ISS, and currently manages the Agency-wide Women@NASA project.

Recently, she started the interview process for the upcoming astronaut selection for 2013 class.

In her spare time, she volunteers as a role model with FabFems, runs marathons and half marathons across the world, and travels the world performing outreach in developing countries.

11 AM & 2 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT & 19:00 GMT) – Pam Melroy, retired AF combat pilot, test pilot, & astronaut

melroy

Colonel Pam Melroy

Colonel Pam Melroy served as pilot on two space flights (STS-92 in 2000 and STS-112 in 2002) and was the mission commander on STS-120 in 2007, making her one of only two women who commanded the space shuttle. She has logged more than 924 hours (more than 38 days) in space.

Before becoming an astronaut, Colonel Melroy had a long pilot career in the Air Force and flew in combat. She has piloted 50 types of aircraft. She was a test pilot in the C-17 Combined Test Force and as such, set 7 world aviation records. She also developed and flew first-ever C-17 air show demonstration.

Since retiring from NASA in 2009, she has held management positions and currently acts as Deputy Director of the Tactical Technology Office of DARPA.

1 PM Eastern Time (18:00 GMT) – Natalie Panek, robotic operator and aerospace engineer at MDA Space Missions

Natalie Panek

Natalie Panek

Natalie Panek is a robotic operator and aerospace engineer at MDA Space Missions, previously interning at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center and NASA Ames Research Center. She’s driven a solar-powered car across North America, has a pilot’s license, and skydived with Korea’s first Astronaut.

With degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Natalie has co-authored papers on flames burning in microgravity and repairing broken satellites in space. She has spoken at TEDx and on the panel for Women in Aerospace International Women’s day.
Natalie is an advocate for encouraging women to dive head-on into challenging careers and take risks, recognizing that we need to foster innovation in order to challenge the foundations of our generation and the next. She is also an avid adventurer, always looking to fill any free time with the outdoors and exploration.

Don’t miss this fantastic program. Join us on March 9. Activities at several events will also be available to view.

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Women color the skies during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week

28 January, 2013 in Headlines by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Interactive visualisation of activities during the week

Interactive visualization of activities during the week

Women are playing a critical role in aviation each day. Let’s show the world!

Calling all female commercial pilots, air traffic controllers, dispatchers, mechanics, engineers… any woman involved in the operation of commercial flights in a technical capacity.

planefinderThorough Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, March 4-10, 2013, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide and PlaneFinder.net will collect the flight tracks of commercial flights operated in part by a woman in a technical capacity as well as the flight tracks of female introductory flights conducted worldwide.

The project named “Women Color The Skies” will combine the collected flight tracks to create an online animated and interactive visualization of the current involvement of women within the industry as well as the level of engagement on the part of the industry to encourage more to join.

Professional women of aviation involved in commercial flight operations in a technical capacity such pilot, air traffic controller, dispatcher, mechanic, engineer, etc. are invited to report their professional activities of the week to see the flight tracks of their flights added to the online visualization while pilots introducing girls and women to flying are invited to report their flights.

Let’s come together and show the world what today’s Women Of Aviation are doing and how many excited future Women Of Aviation are looking forward to following them in their footsteps.

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

One aviation training center to receive world recognition

18 January, 2013 in Headlines, Latest News by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Teach“2013 Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide”

On April 3 2013, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide will announce the 2013 winner of the “Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide” competition taking place during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, March 4-10 2013.

Besides having bragging rights to this prestigious title and receiving a trophy, the winner will have its name added to the list of title winners on Wikipedia and the accomplishment will be widely reported in the media.

Barely two weeks after she discovered flying during the 2012 Women Of Aviation Worldwide, Elaine wrote us the following message: “I really enjoyed my time with the pilot during the week of activities, so much so that I have a keen interest in learning to fly. Would it be possible to direct me to teaching facilities in and around this area?  Your website shows only Waterloo, that’s really far from here.”

Unfortunately, no flight school was involved in the event at the airport where she took her first flight so that she could get the information at the time. So, she searched our Certified Women Friendly Directory. Since no flight school in her area chose to be involved in Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, none were listed in her area.

Participating in the Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week celebration as a training center earns the training center a free listing of our Certified Women Friendly Directory, the number one reference for thousands of women looking for training.

What does it take to participate in Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week? Simply organizing an event or a promotion directed strictly at girls and women during the week and letting us know about the offering and its outcome. When we receive the details, the business will be added to the directory.

What is does it take to win the prestigious “Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide”  title? Be the agent for the most female discovery flights given during the week in one location. No, the training center doesn’t have to give discovery flights for free; it simply has to motivate participation and manage flights.

For instance, the training center could organize a fly-in and offer a prize to pilots who come with one or more female first time flyers onboard. It could offer a 10% discount on aircraft rentals to your customers who fly to introduce girls or women to flying during the week. Better yet it could organize or a massive female first flight event. Whatever it does, it has to promote participation and keep track of the activity.

“Our numbers for women in the programs has increased, and we are always trying to invite more,” reports Marc Vanderaegen , Flight School Director at Southern Interior Flight Centre, a training center that has participated in Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week annually since 2011.

Are you a training center owner or manager? Can your training center make the same claim? If not, check out how can participate in Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, today!

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Nearly $2,000 in prizes for the Event Organizer Contest and the First-to-Solo Challenge

9 January, 2013 in Headlines, Latest News by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

“It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action,” said Honoré de Balzac.

Organizer and mediaThe leadership, the friends, and the member-partners of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide truly value the courage to act. Rewarding participants for their courage to act has been an inherent part of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week since its infancy.

How can you reward the people who, selflessly, spend countless hours motivating volunteers, enticing supporters, and greeting girls and women at the airport with one sole goal in mind: empowering others? Our best answer is to empower them in return.

Our Event Organizer Contest is based on a simple point system that rewards various actions associated with organizing an event. More than about just rewarding flights, the contest rewards overall effectiveness (flights, volunteers, media coverage, number of girls/women enrolled in the First-to-Solo Challenge, etc.).

To reward the most outstanding event organizer in 2013, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide will award $1,000 CAD towards training (flight or organizational skills) to the event organizer who earns the most points in the contest.

At the controlsLearning to fly takes courage, work, and dedication. This life-transforming process is a challenge.

There is no doubt that the emotional impact of the first flight and the attractiveness of the activity are great motivators. However, as Honoré de Blazac said, there is a big difference between noticing how cool flying is and taking all the action steps required to earn the right to fly an aircraft solo.

Flying an aircraft solo is, in itself, one of the most emotionally-charged and rewarding experiences that life has to offer. However, that special moment when a new pilot is born is an occasion for the entire aviation community to rally in the celebration of a shared experience.

Big moments in life are often associated with ceremonies. Soloing is one of this BIG moments.

To celebrate the accomplishment of the first person from the 2013 class of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week first time flyers to solo, we are offering the winner of the First-to-Solo Challenge a “cross-country ready” package worth $700, that includes a Sennheiser S1 Passive Headset, full WOAW week gear, and everything to handle the cross-country phase.

We wish good luck to all participants and are eager to give away these amazing prizes.

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

The Association of Space Explorers celebrates Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week

3 December, 2012 in Headlines, Latest News by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Earth From SpaceToday, the world’s population stands at more than 7 billions. Worldwide, 252 children are born each minute of each day. That translates to 15,120 a hour.

With a worldwide pilot population standing at less than 1 million, pilots are pretty special as they stand at less than one in 7,000. Female pilots are rarer: approximately one in 175,000 human beings. However, given the current world’s birth rate, a pilot is born every half hour and a female pilot is born every half day.

There are even rarer individuals among us: cosmonauts and astronauts.

Yuri Gagarin became the first human ever to travel in space in 1961, more than 50 years ago. 2 years later, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly to space. Today, the total number of cosmonauts and astronauts barely exceeds 500 worldwide. More people have won a lottery jackpot than flown in space!

AstronautThese are unique individuals with a unique life path. They have lived a unique experience that only another cosmonaut or astronaut can understand. That shared experience and perspective led a small number of them to meet in Cernay, France, in September 1984 and decide to form the Association of Space Explorers (see document).

But, here is what you may not know about cosmonauts and astronauts: most started their quest for space by becoming pilots and… they are the nicest people you want to meet.

AstroNote - Association of Space ExplorersAmong their many activities, members of the Association of Space Explorers are collecting funds for scholarships by issuing AstroNotes upon request.

What are AstroNotes? They are very special cards especially inscribed for the recipient and personally signed by a selected astronaut. What a great gift to give to a space fan on a special occasion! The price? Just  $35 each.

When the association heard about our “You are an inventor” contest with a spacey theme, it had to get involved and made sure that the winners would have the opportunity to speak with real astronauts.

When it heard about the events taking place during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, it immediately offered to support and participate in a big way.

We are pleased to announce that iWOAW and the Association of Space Explorers have come up with the best of prizes for WOAW week’s event organizers and volunteer pilots.

The top 3 performing event organizers as well as the winner and runner ups of the “Most Dedicated Female Pilot Worldwide” and “Most Supportive Male Pilot Worldwide” titles will each receive a specially inscribed congratulatory AstroNote signed, not by just one astronaut but several astronauts; a one-of-the-kind special thank you. Just priceless!

Thank you Space Explorers!

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

WOAW becomes a not-for-profit consortium

10 October, 2012 in Headlines, Latest News by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Since 2010, the Women Of Aviation Worldwide grassroots initiative has brought into focus the lack of female involvement in the air and space industry.

The flagship program of the group, Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week celebrated during the week of March 8, has enabled more than 5,000 girls and women to discover the joys of flight in small aircraft in 36 countries and on 4 continents while ensuring that outstanding Women Of Aviation, such as Raymonde de Laroche, the first woman to earn a pilot license worldwide, Harriet Quimby, the first woman to fly the English Channel in an airplane, and Hélène Dutrieu, the first woman to fly an aircraft with a passenger onboard and the first woman to pilot a seaplane, be recognized for their amazing contributions to aviation and to the advancement of women.

The initiative has doubled in size each year since 2010. A massive media campaign taking place during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week and targeting the female population at large has attracted thousands of interested girls and women to airports.

11 to 13% of all students are females since the mid-1970s. However, the total number of women pilots today is virtually unchanged as compared to 1980, pointing to a far higher rate of failure among female candidates than among male candidates.

Since 1990, in urban areas of the Western world, working women less than 30 years old are earning higher wages than their male counterparts thanks to their higher college education success rate. Women represent an ever increasing economic force.

To continue to lead the innovation when it comes to reaching out to the female population and to begin to lead the necessary shift in the industry to better integrate women, the Women Of Aviation Worldwide grassroots group has formerly incorporated as independent, not-for-profit, global consortium of businesses and organizations on September 10, 2012 under the name of Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide (iWOAW) to reflect its enhanced mission.

While iWOAW will continue to grow its effective and innovative outreach initiative, it will also address the need for research and education to ensure the successful integration of women in the industry.

iWOAW is an inherently international consortium with directors residing in 3 countries and 2 continents and members from across the world.

Because the lack of women in the industry is not a ‘women’ problem but instead an industry problem, iWOAW fosters communication between all interested parties, male and female, starting at its board of directors’ level, which features a balanced number of male and female directors.

iWOAW encourages all businesses and organizations seeking the integration of women for economic and innovation reasons to join the consortium and become an actor of the shift.

“While the air and space industry is a technological leader, it has fallen behind most other industries when it comes to social advancements. It is iWOAW‘s mission to lead the industry to not only catch up but also surpass other industries in that sector,” said Mireille Goyer, Founder of the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide.

For more information about iWOAW’s mission and its many programs, please visit: www.iwoaw.org.

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by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

Calling on all girl budding rocket scientists

10 September, 2012 in Headlines, Latest News by Mireille - Intl Team Leader

If you met a real astronaut, what questions would you ask? Some lucky teenage girl(s) will have a chance to ponder about that in April 2013 but, first, they need to conceive a winning invention.

After discovering the world of science during her preparation leading up to her flight in space in 1963, Valentina Tereshkova studied to earn a doctorate in physics. However, as we prepare to celebrate this important milestone, the lack of female scientists continues to be reflected in the women unfriendliness of many products.

As a salute to all the pioneer female scientists and to spark vocations, we are launching the ‘You are an inventor’ contest. The top prize? A conversation with real astronauts.

To win this amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, teenage girls from around the world will have to fulfill a mission: conceive a new padding system or a new type of adjustable space suit that improves freedom of movement for tomorrow’s space explorers.

Whether their concept is selected as the winning concept or not, each participant will receive an official Inventor Certificate that includes from female space scientists and astronauts from around the world. If their concept makes it to the finals, their work will be exhibited at museums around the world.

What a rewarding opportunity to practice being a rocket scientist!

To learn all the details about entering the contest or download a poster, please visit the ‘You are an inventor’ contest webpage.

Entry deadline is February 8 2013.

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