23 September Event to Include STEM and Aviation Outreach

Atlantic Aviation at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) has joined Women in Aviation International (WAI) chapters and corporate members globally as a host for Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) Greater Delaware Valley - an annual outreach event organized by nonprofit, Aviation Influence, Inc. (AVi). Taking place at Atlantic Aviation’s PNE location, this event aligns with the Greater Delaware Valley on bringing more aerospace opportunities to the region.

GIAD aims to inspire the next generation of females in aviation. Nearly eight-hundred guests are expected to attend this FREE event with a plethora of aerial displays, activities, special surprises, and STEM exhibits. Top sponsors for this year’s event are The Boeing Company with presenting sponsors Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia Northeast Airport (PNE), Leonardo, CHUBB, Clay Lacy Aviation, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, FunD Av Consulting, Pilot Institute, Influential Drones, Civil Air Patrol, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and WAI corporate member and venue host, Atlantic Aviation.

“The underrepresentation of girls and women in STEM fields is a global challenge,” said Michele Hengey, Boeing Global Engagement Community Investor. “Boeing invests in young women in STEM to encourage top talent to join the engineering and aerospace industries. Girls in Aviation Day and this partnership with Aviation Influence, Inc. allows Boeing to reach as many young girls in our communities as possible. We want them to know they are the future of the aerospace industry and to aim high as they consider this important career pathway.”

Hundreds of young ladies and their parents/guardians are invited to attend the upcoming ‘Girls in Aviation Day’ (GIAD) Greater Delaware Valley event on Saturday, 23 September at Atlantic Aviation PNE. The event opens to registered attendees at 11:00 EDT and ends at 16:00 EDT. Lunch by veteran caterer, Franco’s of Marlton—a family owned and operated establishment also involved in aviation—will be served. Attendees will enjoy static displays, fly drones, get inside aircraft, and participate in STEM and aviation exhibits. Female attendees will also have a chance to interact, learn from, and engage with influential women across aviation, notably a Tuskegee Nurse, airline and corporate pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and dispatchers, wildlife experts, drone pilots, and cadets from the Civil Air Patrol.

“PNE is excited to co-host the 'Girls in Aviation Day' event with Atlantic Aviation,” added Nikki Marenic, PNE’s airport operations officer. “This event holds great significance as it empowers young girls to dream big and break barriers in the aviation industry. We believe that diversity and inclusivity are vital for the growth and progress of any industry, and we are proud to be part of an initiative that encourages girls to pursue their passions fearlessly.”

For the second year, AVi’s STEM partnership with NEXTGEN Aviators will grace this year’s event. NEXTGEN Aviators provides a three-hour aviation experience to youth, introducing them to technical jobs including aerospace engineering, parts fabrication and assembly, electronics and avionics, and flight. Part of NEXTGEN Aviators’ presence will come as an aircraft display aboard Dynamic Aviation’s vintage C-47, “Miss Virginia,” a highlight to the aerial display. Based in Bridgewater, Va., Dynamic Aviation hosts a variety of vintage aircraft, notably the Columbine II built in 1948. This Lockheed Constellation was the first presidential transport to go by the call sign “Air Force One.” Dynamic Aviation has a long-standing history in aviation, a leading company serving flight operations in civil, defense and commercial sectors and just in time for GIAD, they are hiring a future talent workforce. As a result of the GIAD 2022 event, Aviation Influence started a new award as part of their scholarship program, directly supporting NEXTGEN Aviators, with plans to continue funding on an annual basis.

“Last year at GIAD 2022, I was happy to support as a keynote speaker in my capacity as Miss United States 2021,” expressed Samantha Anderson, partner relations and marketing coordinator for NEXTGEN Aviators. “As an aviator and STEM advocate, it’s so important we continue efforts to expose our industry to minority groups. We are excited to bring our NEXTGEN Aviators mobile exhibit again this year.”

GIAD aims to address the aviation workforce shortage by introducing young women to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and their role in aviation. Over the last four years, Aviation Influence has worked tirelessly to provide more access and scholarships for young people to enter the sector, specifically in STEM and aviation fields.

“We’re thrilled to fulfill our promise to the Philadelphia area and bring GIAD to PNE this year,” shared Lyndse Costabile, sponsor of the event and co-founder of the event’s organizer, Aviation Influence, Inc. “Last year, our GIAD event produced more than $12,000 in scholarships, and we expect to exceed that figure this year. We are grateful to our partners and hosts for stepping up in 2023, bringing impact and excitement to young ladies planning to attend.”

As a corporate host, Atlantic Aviation is joined by other industry organizations planning to exhibit including Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration, PNE and PHL airports, Leonardo, Civil Air Patrol, Parts Life, Beyond Aviation, Pilot Institute, Influential Drones, and Aviation Institute of Maintenance.

Girls ages eight to 17 are encouraged to attend. Additional information including logistics and registration information can be found by visiting RSVP for GIAD 2023 at PNE

FMI: www.wai.org