By ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas

New members of Women in Aviation International (WAI) were treated to a Coffee Social on the opening day of the conference in Nashville, TN.

Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President and Founder of WAR, spoke to the new members. Her request was clear: "You can't leave until you meet someone new." Chabrian also jokingly lamented the room setup, as she had meant for no tables, with few seats, so folks would move around and not sit with friends.

The atmosphere at WAI is certainly filled with friendship and camaraderie, so the new members stood up at Chabrian's command and began to mingle.

Several "newbies" spoke with me about their impressions of the conference so far and their aspirations. "Wow," "great" and unbelievable" were but a few of the well-used and well-deserved adjectives describing the reactions to the conference and WAI.

Modina Williams works at Boeing in St. Louis, MO. She's an engineer for product support for sustainment data systems. Her manager mentioned WAI as a "wonderful opportunity." Williams is enjoying the "networking and seeing how powerful women are." Williams is "open to any opportunity" that may come her way at the conference.

A co-worker at Atlantic Southeast Airlines recommended that Josephine Richard join WAI. Richard is looking forward to "meeting people and seeing the astronaut (Eileen Collins)." Richard, currently a ramp agent for Atlantic Southeast, aspires to fly helicopters in medical situations.

Anni Brogan met Gerri Schultz, Chapter Relations Manager for WAI, at the AOPA convention last November in Tampa. After thinking about it, Brogan joined WAI.

"I'm blown away by the number of people that are here," said Brogan, Vice President and flight test director for Micro Aerodynamics, a general aviation company that certifies vortex generators. She is also a pilot, and owns a Cessna 172.

Michelle Lipe works at Boeing in product support in the missile/weapons section. Of the WAI conference, Lipe says, "it's fantastic."  She's worked at Boeing for more than 20 years on the business side, and has recently switched to the technical side. Lipe added she is looking forward to "learn more about technically, what do pilots do, what do maintenance people do. It's a new side of aerospace that I'm getting to see."  Lipe hopes to manage the instructors that train pilots.

"It's interesting" being one of the few guys at the conference, said attendee Larry Williams. He was there with five ladies from Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. Advisor Tasha Hall had recommended to each that they check out WAI. Williams is seeking an airline pilot position once he graduates. He's particularly looking forward to Wally Funk's talk, as he met her at an NIFA competition and wants to see her again.

"She's a wild woman," says Williams.

Tracy Sibbaluca from Texas Southern University says, "it's an experience, you get to meet all these different women pilots that you didn't know existed."  Sibbaluca seeks to be a corporate pilot with maintenance as a back up. She plans to start her flight training after returning to Houston from the conference.

Felicia Edwards, also with the TSU group is enrolled in Aviation Management. She "looks forward to everything they have planned for us."  Edwards has a background as an aircraft electrician – she would like to do aerospace work for Halliburton.

Ashley Casey from TSU is a single parent; she is hoping to meet other single parents "to get a feel for how it is in the industry."  She is "excited to be here."  Her can't-miss seminar is the FAA Aviation Safety session. Casey feels she has met up with a bit of prejudice in aviation. She had applied to be a jet fueler, and though she was qualified, she never heard back from the company.

"I have a feeling they didn't think I could do it," Casey said.

Latissha Clark in Airway Science and Aviation Management at TSU had attended a couple of WAI meetings in Houston before joining. Her goal is commercial or corporate pilot, though she wouldn't mind starting out in airline operations. Her short-term plan is to enjoy the convention,

"I'm excited about going to the workshops. I'm ready," Clark said. She too, is looking forward to Wally Funk's talk and the Airport Operations panel.

At WAI 2006, aviation is the common goal... meeting mentors and making new friends along the way is just one of the "perks."

FMI: www.wai.org