Of almost 30,000 pilots in the UK, fewer than 5% are women, but one aviator has set up a support network in a bid to help others get their wings. When Katherine Moloney began flying, she did not know any other female pilots.
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Data published by the International Society of Women Pilots (ISWAP) put the global share at 5.2% in 2018 and 5.8% in 2021. In the UK the share increased from 4.3% in 2016 to 4.9% in 2021 (source: CAA), while the figure for the US increased from 4.4% in 2017 to 4.9% in 2022.
While the number of women with licenses to fly commercial airliners increased by 45% between 2008 and the end of 2022, they are still only 4.92% of all pilots in the industry.
India has the highest number of female pilots in the world. They comprise 12.4% of pilots in major airlines. No other country has ever surpassed the mark of 10%. India has more than 1,200 female pilots.
Women pilots were also formerly called aviatrices (singular aviatrix). Women have been flying powered aircraft since 1908; prior to 1970, however, most were restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry.
144 female pilots and 287 male pilots aged between 40 and 63 were involved in the study, which found that male pilots are more likely to experience mechanical failure, run out of fuel and land the plane with the landing gear up, while females are more likely to stall.
As we see, there is a demand for females in the aviation sector and a demand for pilots in general. This industry needs more women to pursue their pilot career and take over the controls. Airlines have not been the only ones effected by the pilot shortage.
There are no specific height restrictions for pilots under FAA rules. Flight schools and commercial airlines accept pilots for training as long as they are physically able to reach the controls and obtain a full rudder deflection in the aircraft they will operate.
easyJet employed 128 female pilots in 2015 and today we have increased that to 222 - an increase of 94 women and a 73% rise in just over three years. Additionally, as it takes a minimum of 18 months to attract and train a new entrant pilot, many more are due to join the airline in the coming months and years.
FLYING BY THE NUMBERSThe odds are, most pilots will have a normal flight as most women will have a normal pregnancy. But if safety is the prime objective the pregnant pilot should honestly consider both FAR 61.53 and their fitness/functionality for events such as extreme turbulence or a crash.
Being a pilot can be stressful at times. It requires immense concentration, quick decision-making, and a lot of patience. A pilot is responsible for the well-being of all crew members and passengers on board, and they sometimes have to fly under unpredictable conditions.
In fact, some studies show that female pilots are generally less risk-taking, and thus arguably safer compared to male pilots. Either way, there is no evidence indicating that female pilots are inferior in any way.
Yes, the airlines know they have married couples in their cockpits and they're okay with it. I'm sure there are a handful flying together at each of the majors. No one else wastes time thinking about it. There is no glass ceiling; pilot pay is transparent and based solely on seniority.