The first U.S. woman pilot earned her wings 105 years ago this week, and the push to get more ladies around planes hasn’t stopped since.
This week is Women of Aviation week. Star Flight Training in Roanoke is celebrating with an open house at the hangar this weekend. The school is located on Waypoint Drive at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
Men outnumber women in aviation nearly 8 to 1 according to Star Flight Training. It said that’s a bigger gap than most other industries, and that sometimes aviation can feel like a “boy’s club.” Something it said needs to change.
Women pilots in particular are in demand, and getting women in the cockpit could greatly help the looming pilot shortage nationwide. If flying high in the sky isn’t your thing, there are other ways to get involved too.
“Aviation is a big word, yes we’re training pilots, but we’ve got air traffic control, we’ve got airlines, we’ve got baggage handlers, we’ve got maintenance shops,” Star Flight Training Chief Flight Instructor Jon Beard said. “It’s a huge industry that needs anybody right now.”
Ladies looking to get their feet wet can take a discovery flight at a reduced cost this weekend at Star Flight if the weather holds off. You can find more information at its website starflighttraining.com
http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/new-roanoke-flight-school-celebrates-women-of-aviation-week/38468952