The theme for the 20th Annual International Women in Aviation
(WAI) Conference, concluded late last month, was "A New Approach
for Your Tomorrow," but the Conference's underlying thrust was
unquestionably jobs and the economy. Despite furloughs, fears and
dwindling retirement funds, Conference-goers were full of
determined optimism about their futures. Those WAI members who have
spent their careers in the aviation industry were quick to assure
younger attendees that the aviation industry operates in cycles and
this one, too, shall pass.
"Companies and organizations continue to hire, and we had active
career recruiting by many of our exhibitors, especially for
mechanics and technicians, but also for pilots, air traffic
controllers and other positions as well," said WAI President Dr.
Peggy Chabrian. "Our members and Conference attendees are proactive
and steadfast; they are the top-tier candidates that any employer
would want to hire."
Conference highlights included:
- Attendance reached nearly 3,000 women and men, including
representatives from 15 countries.
- The Exhibit Hall displayed 125 separate companies and
organizations, representing all aspects of the aviation
community
- $459,450 in scholarships was distributed to WAI members at
every stage of life from university students to mature members
seeking a mid-life career change to aviation.
- The WAI silent auction raised $18,500 for WAI's Endowment Fund,
bringing the total in the Endowment Fund to $629,500. The money in
the WAI Endowment Fund is used for scholarships.
- WAI member Arlynn McMahon was named the 2009 National
Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year. She is a chief flight
instructor, a ground instructor, and the training center manager
for Aero-Tech, a Part 141 Cessna Pilot Center at Lexington's Blue
Grass Airport (LEX). McMahon is the first woman in 14 years to
achieve this distinction.
In another positive development, the Experimental Aircraft
Association announced at the Conference that the organization will
continue its partnership with Women in Aviation, International, to
manage and host WomenVenture during EAA AirVenture 2009. This is
the second year for WomenVenture, a week-long initiative to
showcase women's aviation achievements while attracting more women
to aviation by making resources and information more accessible and
visible to them.
Five women were inducted into WAI's International Pioneer Hall
of Fame including Jacqueline Cochran, the first woman to break the
sound barrier; Patricia Malone, a US Navy WAVE who trained aircraft
carrier-based pilots on instrument flight procedures; Ruth Nichols
who holds more than 35 women's aviation records; Dawn Seymour, the
first woman accepted into the Civilian Pilot Training Program
(CPTP) at Cornell University, and who later was chosen for the WASP
program; and Anna Timofeyeva-Yegorova, one of the most famous
Soviet women to fly in a male combat regiment during World War II
and holder of the Hero of the Soviet Union award.
Added Dr. Chabrian, "This Conference was a celebration of 20
years of Women in Aviation conferences, and a rededication of our
commitment to look forward by providing career opportunities for
women in all aspects of the aviation community while looking back
to recognize and honor the accomplishments of the determined women
who made today's accomplishments and career choices possible."
The 21st Annual International Women in Aviation Conference will
be held at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake
Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando, from February 25-27, 2010. As
always, ANN will be there.
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