The General Aviation Manufacturers Association
has commended two recent pieces of federal legislation, written to help more
women pursue careers in aviation and further opportunities for those already
working in the industry.
The Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce
Act of 2017, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and
Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and in the U.S. House by Representatives Elizabeth Esty
(D-CT) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN), urges the aviation industry to “explore all
opportunities, including pilot training, science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) education, and mentorship programs, to encourage and support
female students and aviators to pursue a career in aviation” while also
directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a women in
aviation board to support organizations and efforts to foster women's careers in
aviation.
“We applaud these members of Congress for
introducing this legislation,” said GAMA President and CEO
Pete Bunce.
“When it comes to the aviation sector, women are, to our industry’s detriment,
very underrepresented. They are a critical resource from which we need to tap to
recapitalize our aging workforce. We encourage all members of Congress,
especially those in the Senate and House General Aviation Caucuses, to support
this legislation and ensure its passage.”
GAMA also notes the recent passage of The
Women in Aerospace Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, by a vote of
409-17. This bill, introduced by Representative Steve Knight (R-CA), is designed
to open fellowship and grant opportunities to women from agencies such as NASA
and the National Science Foundation, while also directing NASA to institute a
process that prioritizes promotion and recruitment of qualified women, or others
who are historically underrepresented in STEM fields.
GAMA and its members are proud of the growing
efforts to encourage women to learn about aerospace, and will play a very active
role in Girls in Aviation Day at the annual Women in Aviation International
conference this year. GAMA is also working with the International Council of
Airshows to highlight to parents at airshow venues the tremendous career
opportunities that await their children in aerospace.
Additionally, through the GAMA Aviation Design
Challenge that began in 2013, high school students employ STEM skills through
aviation software to design and fly innovative vehicles. GAMA requires that each
competing team of four students include female members.
“I’m really excited about the growing movement
to recruit women in our industry,” continued Bunce. “With electric, hybrid and
autonomous manned and unmanned aircraft now taking to the skies in exponentially
increasing numbers, our need for motivated talent is greater than ever.”
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