Opportunities Exist

Last month I spoke to a group of aircraft maintenance students from a few Upper Midwest aviation maintenance schools during the Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technician Conference. I always enjoy presenting an industry update and providing a bit of perspective to the next generation of aircraft maintainers.

Afterward two young female students from Northland Community & Technical College approached me asking questions and advice about their chosen career path. First, it was encouraging to speak with these young women and based on the questions they asked they are obviously focused on their studies, future careers, and continuing their education after receiving their A&P certificate. 

As determined as these two young women appeared, it again prompts the question why don’t more women consider aviation, or better yet aircraft maintenance as a career path? Maybe decades ago aircraft maintenance was considered a man’s job, but today I would suggest it shouldn’t be. Yet we are still part of a very male-dominated industry.

I’ve worked alongside many women in my aircraft maintenance career. Some mechanics and others in just as important maintenance support roles – my daughter is one of them.  

I did some quick research to try and figure out just how many women are working as aircraft maintainers and here’s what I found.

From the Women in Aviation International website, as of Dec. 31, 2013, the number of women issued an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certificate was 2.34 percent and those holding Repairman certificates was 5.73 percent of the total number of mechanic and repairman certificates. Lynette Ashland from the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) said she heard the number of female A&Ps working today has dropped to about 1.5 percent across the industry.

It’s difficult to determine exact numbers of working A&P mechanics today as most FAA figures state the number of certificates issued and don’t reflect accurate numbers of those still working. Regardless of the figures, we can all agree the number of women working in aircraft maintenance roles is very small.

In this month’s issue of Aircraft Maintenance Technology, we highlight two women in our industry. Faye Malarkey Black, president of the Regional Airline Association, and Paula Derks, president of the Aircraft Electronics Association. Both women provide an update on the mission and activities of their respective organizations. Have they worked as aircraft maintainers and hold an FAA A&P certificate? I don’t believe so. However, as industry leaders and strong advocates working tirelessly in the aviation segments they represent, they continue to support the opportunities that exist for women in aviation.

To the two young women students from northern Minnesota, all the best to you on your adventures in aviation. Ron