Barriers
Fewer than 10% of licensed pilots are women and the percentage of women in maintenance fields is in the single digits.”
FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board
Interesting statistic
Trusted Source
Interesting statistic
Trusted Source
Interesting statistic
Trusted Source
Interesting statistic
Trusted Source
CULTURE CHANGE STARTING WITH OUR YOUTH
Currently, only 2.6% of licensed aviation maintainers identify as female, a statistic even lower in general aviation. Although strides have been made in improving representation, progress remains sluggish.
Women Build Planes Mission
Habitat for Aviation is promoting apprenticeship opportunities that are anchored in relationships, relevance, and practice in a welcoming environment where girls and women come to know themselves and become deeply known by supportive female aviation professionals.
Our mission is urgent in view of the fact that less than 3% of airplane maintenance technicians are women, and research shows visible industry role models at young ages help cement career aspirations.
Through Habitat for Aviation’s Women Build Planes program, everyone has the chance to see themselves in the aviation industry and be connected with supportive adults working in the field to rescript the narrative about these exciting career paths.
Women In Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB) Recommendations Report
Honoring the women who came before us - “We can do it too!”
Remembering and paying homage to our WWII sisters from the Women Air force Service Pilots (WASPs) and all they had to endure to free up male pilots for war. WASPs transported every type of military aircraft, towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice, simulated missions, and transported cargo.
Modern-day Rosies
For the past 80 years the Rosie the Riveter image symbolized strong women who build planes. Habitat for Aviation’s Modern-Day Rosies will pull the strength and determination from the past and carry it through to the future, until we reach parity with men in the field.
We’re doing it differently
Our apprenticeship training program is different from existing approaches in that it combines hands-on aircraft construction with mentorship, enrichment activities, and a strong focus on building a sense of community and belonging.
Unlike conventional aviation education programs, which are dominated by males and rarely, if ever, happen at an airport with working airplanes that will be returned to service, Habitat for Aviation has a project-based learning approach that is grounded in career-connected learning and offers a holistic focus on skill-building, self-discovery, and empowerment.
