Sep. 20—BRIDGEPORT — Last year, Girls in Aviation Day hit the ground running, bringing youth from across North Central West Virginia to the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center to explore all the industry has to offer.

Now, organizers are making the event an annual tradition, marked by a second annual day of programming and festivities scheduled for this Saturday.

Girls interested in the aviation industry are invited to the Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Participants can fly drones, ride in a flight simulator, dress up as a pilot, and meet women who have carved a space for themselves in the field of aviation, representing organizations like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Pratt & Whitney.

The event was founded last year by Tracy Miller, president of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, who wanted to introduce young girls to the opportunities aviation provides, despite being a male-dominated industry.

"Girls in Aviation Day brings local industry professionals together and shows girls that they belong in aviation and aerospace," said Miller, who serves as president of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex. "The Women in Aviation Advisory Board report submitted to the FAA and congress in 2022 states that, in the last 60 years, the percentage of women in the aviation industry sector, in almost every job sector, has remained nearly stagnant."

According to the report, the absence of women on flight decks, air traffic control towers, maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities or offices in aviation companies is obvious. The report states that the largest gender gaps are in senior leadership positions, professional pilots, and maintenance technicians. Less than 5% of airline transport pilots are women, and less than 3% of women are aviation maintenance technicians.

This year, event organizers hope the event can continue to get girls in West Virginia excited about a career in aviation, and bolster the industry at large with a slate of future pilots, technicians and mechanics.

Helping organize the event is Nicole Jones, a project manager with the Thrasher Group, a Bridgeport-based architecture and engineering firm that completed a construction project on the runways at North Central West Virginia Airport.

The event is geared toward girls ages 8 and up, but all are welcome at the event, Jones said. Advance registration is not required.

Jones said she is excited to see the "joy" and "excitement" of young girls exploring the aviation industry.

"You see that sparkle and that joy in their eye," she said. "They have so much fun, and you can see that passion start to get generated."

"Helping young women understand the many career paths available in aviation is essential," MHIRJ Director of Operations Mike Genein said. "One of the biggest challenges is making sure girls are aware of the industry at an early age. Hence, events such as Girls in Aviation Day are crucial as they raise awareness about career options for young girls. The aviation industry offers a wide range of possibilities, from flying to technical roles supporting aircraft maintenance. As a world-class MRO service provider, MHIRJ continuously seeks new talent, making it clear that a career in aviation is within reach for anyone, regardless of gender, and success is achievable."

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