BETH WHITE • 03/30/25

Happy Mud Season from Our WOMEN BUILD PLANES Team

Greetings from Our Hangar,

As spring unfurls her lovely bright greens, yellows, and pinks, and as the days get longer, our WOMEN BUILD PLANES team reached an exciting milestone — we completed our 62nd build day, logging over 300 hours toward our A&P licenses as we assemble our two-seater Rans S-21 Outbound.

Ten-year-old builder, Axley, captured the sentiment perfectly in our most recent video, The Power of Young Hands in Aviation, produced by our one-and-only Ground Crew team member, Zoë Brosky, who wrote and performed the original score, shot, and edited the short. Reflecting on her time with us, Axley said:

“I really, really love building with my hands.”

And Granny would add, “We’re doing more than building an airplane — We’re building connections, community, and commitment.” And we love sharing our work with others. In addition to completing our tail feathers and making good progress on our wings, our WOMEN BUILD PLANES team has been out-and-about showing folks from across our state that WOMEN BUILD, FIX, and FLY airplanes. Read all about our shenanigans below.

We are thrilled to announce that our organization will be the featured keynote at the distinctive Reckless Ideas series at the Generator — April 8th, 6-8 PM — and we would be delighted if you would join us. Registration is FREE.

As always, we are incredibly grateful to our aviation family for your continued love and support — we could not do this without you!

Please consider visiting us at Franklin County State Airport — meet our team, see our progress, and experience first-hand the sense of belonging and connection we’re cultivating.

Heck, the weather is even getting better, nearly fly-able — and we look forward to hearing all of our flying friends announce your final approach to KFSO on the CTAF.

We build each Sunday from 11-5. Please, join us!

Warmly,

Beth
Pilot in Command, Habitat for Aviation

WOMEN BUILD PLANES Team to Keynote at Generator’s Reckless Ideas Series

Join us on Tuesday, April 8th to hear about my journey into aviation, which was sparked by the daring thought, “If Beryl Markham could fly solo across the Atlantic in the 1930s, why can’t I?” Hear how earning my pilot’s license, meeting an unexpected 80-year old airplane mechanic, and surviving breast cancer led to a renewed life purpose:

Fostering the next generation of aviators, builders, and innovators by providing hands-on opportunities in aviation.

Join me and some of my fabulous WOMEN BUILD PLANES team members —the Modern Rosies — to hear about our Reckless Idea. We promise you will leave feeling inspired and ready to take-off and elevate that which makes your own heart sing. Registration is FREE — You don't want to miss this!

WOMEN BUILD PLANES Team Interviewed on Vermont Viewpoint Radio Show

Our day began with excitement as our Modern Rosies carpooled to WDEV’s Vermont Viewpoint, in Waterbury, VT, sharing laughter and meaningful conversations. Welcomed warmly by Bradley Ferland, we eagerly took to the mic, filing in one-by-one, to discuss our work, the vital role of women in aviation, and the future we envision.

The conversation flowed effortlessly, highlighting both our accomplishments and the growing need for more women in the industry. A particularly moving moment came when 10-year-old Axley, armed with her journal of heartfelt notes, shared her perspective on why women belong in aviation. Her passion resonated deeply, reminding us of the lasting impact we are making. To listen to the full podcast, visit our Media page and scroll to the second section.

WOMEN BUILD PLANES Team w-o-w Attendees at the
Women Can Do! Conference

We were honored to take part in the Women Can Do! conference, where over 500 female and gender-expansive high school students explored STEM and trade careers at Vermont State University’s Randolph Center campus. At our hands-on aviation station students learned to cut and strip electrical wire, create soldered connections, shrink wrap, and manipulate safety wire — skills our Modern Rosies use in our own aircraft build. It was inspiring to see young women engaged, asking questions, and creating their own beaded keychains to take home.

One of the most powerful outcomes was meeting Maisy Gendimenico, who was inspired by the opportunity to learn new skills. Today, Maisy is one of our dedicated Modern Rosies, showing up every Sunday. In addition to being a vital member of our airplane build team, she’s also working toward her private pilot’s license. Her journey — from conference attendee to essential team member — beautifully illustrates the lasting impact of creating spaces where young women can explore, build, and discover what truly makes their hearts sing.  

A Most Special Visit from Amelia Earhart’s Great Nephew

We were honored to host Bram Klepner, great-nephew of Amelia Earhart and Vermont State legislator. With a deep personal connection to aviation, Bram’s visit was especially meaningful as he learned about our mission to empower young women in the field. Aubrianna guided him through riveting his first piece in front of my painting of Amelia. This powerful moment of connection made me say out loud, “Thank goodness I lived.”

During our Lunch & Learn, Bram shared rare, never-before-seen family photos of Amelia, including a striking image of her inspecting her plane’s propeller on her final stop before her fateful journey. His visit gave our team not only a chance to share our work but also allowed us to reflect on Amelia’s legacy of courage and determination. Bram expressed admiration for the unique space we have cultivated for aspiring aviators and aviation mechanics. We can’t wait to have him back.

Inspiring Future Aviators & Mechanics at Green Mountain Aviation Field Days

Our WOMEN BUILD PLANES team was thrilled to take part in the Green Mountain Aviation Field Days, the largest aviation event Vermont has seen in over 30 years, drawing more than 8,000 attendees. Stationed under the towering 70-foot tail of a KC 46 Pegasus refueler, our team could be found in BETA Technologies’ Maintenance Hangar. We joined over 20 exhibitors engaging visitors of all ages, from toddlers playing on our airplane carpet with all sorts of planes and helicopters to older kids posing in pilot outfits at our photo booth.

Hands-on stations for safety wiring and soldering allowed thousands of participants to create aviation-themed keychains while learning real-world skills. We shared hundreds of brochures, postcards, and stickers. The most rewarding moments came from the countless one-on-one conversations between our builders and attendees — one of whom was Axley — now a critical member of our WOMEN BUILD PLANES team.

Team Member, Ashwil Bell, Published in Aviation for Girls Magazine

WOMEN BUILD PLANES team member Ashwil Bell’s inspiring article, “Build, Fly, Fix,” was featured in Aviation for Girls, a magazine from Women in Aviation International, and was included in thousands of swag bags distributed globally for Girls in Aviation Day, a worldwide event spanning over 180 locations across 33 countries, 41 states, and two territories, reaching over 30,000 participants. In her article, Ashwil shared her journey into aviation through her hands-on experience building our Rans S-21.

Presenting at Women in Leadership Conference for VT Superintendents & Principals

The WOMEN BUILD PLANES team presented two workshops at the Women in Leadership Conference, co-hosted by the Vermont Superintendents Association and the Vermont Principals’ Association in Killington, VT. Team members Taylor Bushey, Disa Tatro, Rayan El Kotob, Zoë Brosky, Emma Davis, and myself led sessions on “Cultivating Women Leaders in Aerospace Through Interest-Driven Real World Learning,” which highlighted how Habitat for Aviation supports emerging leadership through mentorship and hands-on experiences working on real aircraft that will be returned to service.

We shared personal insights on how relationships and real-world practice have shaped our leadership journeys and held interactive breakout groups, which allowed our attendees to reflect on these lessons and brainstorm ways to inspire young leaders in their own fields. Participants left with actionable strategies to identify and nurture leadership skills.

Check out our Habitat for Aviation White Paper

We are proud to announce the release of our Habitat for Aviation White Paper, an external look at our innovative approach to aviation education and workforce development. The paper argues that as our aviation industry faces a critical shortage of skilled mechanics, our model — rooted in interests, relationships, and hands-on practice — provides a powerful solution.

The report highlights the ways in which our WOMEN BUILD PLANES initiative is breaking down systemic barriers identified in the FAA’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board Report. With research-backed strategies from Big Picture Learning and the Harbor Freight Fellowship Initiative, our apprenticeship programs have already shown measurable success in preparing youth for FAA certifications and high-wage aviation careers. By redefining pathways into aerospace through real-world experience, this white paper suggests Habitat for Aviation is a scalable blueprint for fostering a more diverse and inclusive aviation industry.

We Welcome Your Gifts

Please consider making a tax deductible gift to Habitat for Aviation. Your support will help offset the cost of programming, enable us to finish our RANS S-21 Airplane Build, and help us take steps towards building a world-class hangar to serve more individuals who love working with their hands and want to explore the incredible field of aviation.

Have a plane you are no longer using or a kitplane you never finished? Consider donating it as a tax deductible gift!

Join us!