Photo via WAITampaBay/Facebook
The one-day event staged by The Tampa Bay Chapter of Women in Aviation (WIA) aims to introduce all youth to the world of flight and will include a layover performance by the U.S. Coast Guard and a keynote speaker event by Tampa General Hospital Aeromed Pilots Sarah Koehler & Danielle Fuller.
Close to a dozen local organizations, including the Hillsborough Sheriff and Tampa International Airport, will be on site with planes and helicopters, but the nonprofit WIA wants attendees to see careers beyond just being a pilot.
“This industry requires dispatchers, mechanics, engineers, astronauts, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, pilots, and more," WAI Tampa Bay Chapter President and Event Manager Mariah Blackmon wrote in a press release, adding that other WAI chapters will be onsite to mark Girls in Aviation Day, which is on Sept. 21.
Women work across all sectors of aviation, but make up 80% of working flight attendants in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the Centre for Aviation says women make up less than 5% of pilots with FAA certification. They make up even less of the aircraft technician workforce (2.6%, per Daytona’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University).
An RSVP is required, but there’s no cover for Girls In Aviation Day happening Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Sheltair Aviation Services compound near Tampa International. There will be free parking and food for purchase via food trucks.
Tampa Bay WAI was founded in 2014, and has hosted events, airport tours, trainings, and more ever since. To become a member, applicants must submit an application, pay annual chapter fees and attend and event (youth under 18 can join for free).
Readers are invited to submit their own events to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar.
Event Details
Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
