Page 29 - InterPilot2019Issue2

PAGE 29

“Although about 49% of the world’s

population is female, women make up

only 5% of [air line] pilots.”

you’re a female or a male when you’re flying it, There is a lack of female role models for the next
however, it always appears to be a man’s job in a generation of women pilots to identify with.
man’s world, and this group is going to change Female pilots need more visibility to highlight
that view, completely.” their many positive experiences worldwide. One
excellent example is Captain Tammie Jo Shults,
The industry is facing a serious global pilot short- who flew the emergency landing of a Southwest
age. According to 2018 statistics from Boeing, aircraft in 2018. These heroes need more atten-
790,000 pilots will be needed within the next 20 tion.
years. Although about 49% of the world’s popu-
lation is female, women make up only 5% of pi- At a meeting in Frankfurt in February, the group
lots. One way to address this dire shortage is to sat down and set the foundation to formalize the
focus on making the profession more attractive Working Group on the IFALPA level. A proposal
to women. was made to the Executive Board for a Working
Group to be formed to identify issues affecting
A small group of (primarily European) female women pilots worldwide and how they can be
pilots had been meeting informally to identify addressed internationally.
common challenges. They found that they have
all been facing similar problems, despite their The IFALPA Executive Board approved the pro-
being from difffent countries and cultures. One posal and the Female Pilots’ Working Group was
issues that came up repeatedly is that women announced on International Women’s Day 2019
are simply not attracted to the piloting profes- via a President’s Message to all Member Asso-
sion. ciations, a social media announcement, and a
Press Release.