Copied from the Langley Advance
A group of women involved in aviation are hosting a special event on March 9
BY HEATHER COLPITTS, LANGLEY ADVANCE MARCH 5, 2013
Women make up about six per cent of all Canadians with pilot's licences and a group of B.C. flyers is hoping to spark interest in aviation for girls.
The B.C. Coast chapter of Ninety-nines International Organization of Women Pilots is inviting everyone to the Langley Regional Airport for a special event to close out Women of Aviation Worldwide Week (March 4-10).
On March 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. people can enjoy aviation related activities and it's all free, said Cindy Pang, who chairs the BC Coast chapter.
"We want to encourage and inform girls and women that if they have the interest to be in the aviation field, they certainly can do it. Aviation is not a gender biased career," Pang said.
About 5.2 per cent of Canadian licensed airline pilots are women and the group wants to show people that there are various career options for women, recreational flying, and women's history in aviation.
"Since the number of women working in the aviation field is very small, we would like to encourage girls to explore these career opportunities: they can be pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, airport managers, aircraft designers, test pilots, astronauts," Pang said.
This event is an opportunity to go where most people never get the chance - the control tower.
"The Langley control tower operated by NavCanada is gracious enough to offer tower tours, but space is limited as they get busy directing traffic," she said.
The Canadian Museum of Flight has provided free passes for girls and women when they tour the museum accompanied by a member of the women's pilot organization.
This is the first time the Ninety-Nines have celebrated Women of Aviation Worldwide Week at the Langley airport. They hope to clear up any misconceptions about the industry.
"Most girls think its a man's job," she commented. "But let's say, for example, if you would like to become a pilot, the airplane does not know if you are male or female. All licensed pilots go through the same training and exams. Once you receive your pilot's licence, you are as qualified as any other pilot."
Pang noted that some people might shy away from aviation thinking they require elite math and science skills.
While some jobs will take advanced post secondary training, becoming a pilot, for instance, requires a decent grounding in high-school level algebra and geometry.
More information is available at www.womenofaviationweek.org and www.bccoast99s.com.
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