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.
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.
Male labor force participation in the United States back then was 71.2%. In 2022, it was 68%. Various studies show the most male-dominated industries include construction and building, vehicle technicians or mechanics, or carpenters, where the share of women is only 1–2%.
Some airline companies require at least one male crew to be inside every flight as sometimes passengers prefer to speak to a male crew due to religion, especially in Middle Eastern countries where there might be concerns over a man talking to a woman.
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.
The training is rigorous and demanding, and it covers all aspects of flying, including navigation, communication, and emergency procedures. Female pilots are expected to meet the same standards as their male counterparts, and they are given the same opportunities to advance their careers.
The longtime stereotype of airline pilots is that they are male, fearless, perfectly fit, good at math, trained in the military, blessed with perfect vision, all paid like super senior 747 captains (regardless of what they really fly) and only at work three days every other month.
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.
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.