Uniquely Women in Aviation International

Now that the 24^th Annual WAI conference is over, the 25^th Anniversary celebration countdown begins. Next March the landmark conference will be in Orlando.

What is WAI? Maybe you would be surprised to learn that, WAI has more than 9,000 members worldwide, including aviation professionals, students and enthusiasts with over 80 chapters. 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. It is not like other aviation associations, it is all encompassing and plays member successes forward with mentoring.
By their partnerships with NASA, the FAA, other organizations and a wide variety of corporate sponsors with a strong commitment in promoting women in the aviation industry, WAI has gained wide recognition. 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.
After several days in Nashville at the conference wondering what this is all about, it was finally clear. WAI is about everything in professional aviation and related fields that will inform and educate women to get the career they seek.  Education, training and job opportunities of all varieties both domestic and abroad is presented here and how to prepare yourself to land your place in aviation. Yes, the airlines were there and some are hiring.
From pilots who want to learn and keep up with CRM, ADS-B and iPad use to empowering information on presenting yourself and making a lasting impression, it is on the agenda.  Recurrent training for Mechanics and Aircraft Dispatchers and an Aerospace workshop for educators was featured.
Internationally, over 100 women from the WAI Nigerian Chapter attended this year with stories about how fewer women use internet in Nigeria, and that this lack of connectivity directly influences the Nigerian woman's ability to both learn about and be educated for aviation careers. Women in countries with an emerging aviation system have different challenges from the U.S.
This year's theme, "Setting the Stage for Success" was a very appropriate description of the 2013 conference. WAI inspires and educates with the latest in innovations in the aviation industry and is a source for educational scholarships. -B Meyer, FMI: http://www.wai.org/