"Inspire, Enthuse, Innovate" -- and Then Some -- At The Women in Aviation, International 2011 Conference

It has proven to be one of my favorite events... and is one that provides my cluttered cranium with a helluva workout... in addition to the stories, interviews and Aero-TV gigs we pulled off at 2011 WAI confab, this yearly event allowed me to gauge the health of the "soul" of aviation...and by all appearances, despite our industry's bruises and bumps, we flyers are still in fine shape. Over the course of a few days, we talked to a number of aviators... black, white, male, female, gay, straight, young, old, civilian and military and no matter our backgrounds and experiences, I have to tell you that the aviation world could not possibly be in better shape, "spiritually." Based on all those I talked to... sometimes on frank and difficult subjects... and in the aura of one of the most positive events in aviation, we saw solid evidence that while the times may be hard, the entire community of flyers -- of any sex, race, background, preference, experience or persuasion -- looks forward to seeing their dreams for aviation flourish... and through them, they might do just that.

With nearly 3,000 attendees, the theme of the 22nd Annual International Aviation for Women Conference that concluded in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday, February 26, 2011, was "Inspire, Enthuse, Innovate" and there was plenty of all three happening throughout the Conference. Attendees represented all aspects and interests within the aviation community, including military, commercial, corporate and recreational flying.

"The Conference is about far more than pilots, however," said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. "We also represent individuals from academia, maintenance, research, engineering and more."

Conference highlights included:

• Attendance reached nearly 3,000 women and men, including representatives from the United States and 21 different countries. Thirteen percent of attendees are college/university students.
• The Exhibit Hall displayed 121 separate companies and organizations, representing all aspects of the aviation community.
• $691,750 in scholarships were distributed to WAI members at every stage of life from university students to mature members seeking a mid-life career change to aviation. A total of 76 scholarships were awarded.
• The WAI silent auction raised nearly $20,000 for WAI's Endowment Fund, used for scholarships and educational programs.

Five women were inducted into WAI's International Pioneer Hall of Fame including L. Tammy Duckworth, Black Hawk pilot and current Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs; Major General Susan Helms, Director of Plans and Policy for the U.S. Strategic Command, a flight test engineer and a former NASA Astronaut; Hazel Ying Lee, who in 1932 became one of the first Chinese-American woman to earn a pilot's license and a member of WASP Class 44-18; Mary Ann Martin Wyall, a member of the last WASP class to graduate from Avenger Field and for the past 45 years has preserved and shared the history of the WASP; and Dr. Peggy Chabrian, founder and President of Women in Aviation, International.

L. Tammy Duckworth

"This year, I am honored to be one of the WAI Pioneers, and I am humbled to be included in such an historic and accomplished group of women," added Dr. Chabrian.

The 23rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference will be held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, from March 8-10, 2012.

FMI: www.wai.org