Female pilots – they’re a rare breed in the aviation world despite ongoing efforts from airlines to create gender equality in the skies.
And what’s the reason women are not taking the lead in the sky? It is still deemed a man’s job.
A new study conducted by British Airways, found 63 percent of women said they were put off from pursuing a career as a professional pilot because as they were growing up there was a lack of visible role models and they were constantly being told ‘it was a man’s job’.
Twenty percent of the 2,000 women surveyed said pilots were always played by men on TV and in films; another 20 percent thought women could only be cabin crew; and 12 percent said they had never been on a plane flown by a woman.
Why aren’t more females pursuing careers as pilots?
The airline is hoping to turn these misconceptions around with a new awareness campaign designed to attract more female pilots to join the airline.
Currently only 200 of British Airways’ 4,000 pilots are female.
Joining the campaign is Carol Vorderman – a TV presenter and pilot.
Working with the airline, the two will attempt to recruit more female pilots in 2015, including those that are new to flying. This will be done through the airline’s cadet training scheme.
The program, aimed at anyone aged 18 to 55 with no previous flying experience required, opens to new applicants on 23 February 2015.
British Airways also plans to continue recruiting trained pilots from other airlines and the armed forces.
“We’re confident our commitment to investing in modern aircraft and developing new routes will continue to make British Airways a highly attractive airline for the world’s most talented pilots – regardless of gender.”
Captain Stephen Riley, British Airways Director of Flight Operations
“We’re continuing to attract top flying talent by developing new initiatives like our Future Pilot Programme and an awareness campaign to promote a career as a professional pilot to more women.”
British Airways First Officer Emily Lester said the intensive training program is an ideal route for anyone and offers a ‘rewarding career for both men and women’.
Air Serbia is showing off its female pilots in new promotional activities.
Meanwhile, late last year, Jetstar in Australia made history when it appointed Georgina Sutton to chief pilot – the first female chief pilot in Australian aviation.
She steps into the new role this month, and will be the most senior pilot with the airline. Read on
And last month, Air Serbia announced its Australian-born female pilot is coming home to support the airline in promotional activities.
Raised in Western Sydney, Biljana Savic started her career over 12 years ago and is now one of three female pilots flying with the airline.