As part of Women’s International Day and Women of Aviation Week, the Louisiana Regional Airport in Gonzales participated in a worldwide effort to set a Guinness World Record for the most paper airplanes built in a set time period.
As a way to raise awareness in the community for female aviation pilots, the airport took part in the Pink Paper Plane Challenge on March 8. Between noon and 12:15 p.m., in each time zone, participants from around the world gathered to make paper airplanes.
“The paper airplanes is a easy way to let girls know that aviation is out here and an option for them,” said Louisiana Regional Airport Manager Janet Gonzales. “There’s only 6 percent of the population in the world that is female. ”
As the only airport in Louisiana and in the Central Time Zone to participate, the Gonzales airport had 15 qualified participants make a total of 61 planes. Each registered participant was required to make at least three perfectly folded airplanes in 15 minutes.
Gonzales said the event was not about how many planes built, but about the people in attendance, which counts towards the world record.
The event was hosted by the NOLA Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots that promote the growth of aviation through education and scholarships.
Additionally, the center is participating in the Fly It Forward campaign, offering free flights to girls who have never flown in a small aircraft before.
On March 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., girls of any age can experience their first flight.
The goal of the event is to introduce 107 girls to aviation as either a hobby or career option. For more information visit eventbrite.com and search for Girls-Fly It Forward-Louisiana Regional Airport Events.
http://www.weeklycitizen.com/article/20160312/NEWS/160319939