Area girls get on board with aviation careers
Air aviation news – Girls from 17 St. Louis area high schools and organizations were recently introduced to careers in the aviation industry during the 2023 Girls in Aviation Day event at St. Louis Downtown Airport.
Saint Louis University’s Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science hosts the annual event at SLU’s hangar in partnership with Women in Aviation International.
“This was our largest Girls in Aviation Day event yet,” said Amy Preis, Outreach Coordinator for SLU School of Science and Engineering outreach coordinator.
“Our goal is to connect students with the opportunities in the aviation industry that are out there and possibly haven’t been considered before. The entirety of the aviation industry is hungry for more women in its ranks.”
Attendees climbed into cockpits of a variety of aircrafts used by SLU flight instructors for pilot training and to learn more about each plane.
“The planes are so cool, and I liked learning about them,” said Allie Meyers, a freshman at Lafayette High School.
The event also featured a career expo, where students connected with representatives from more than a dozen organizations in the aviation industry.
Representatives from the FAA/NATCA (Air Traffic Control), Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association, Gulfstream, Ideal Aviation, SLU admissions, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Take Flight Girls, Inc., Transportation Security Administration, the United States Air Force and West Star Aviation took part.
“It’s really an honor to be part of Girls in Aviation Day, helping to grow the next generation of aviators,” Rick Leach, GoJet Airlines CEO told the attendees.
“The future of our industry is bright. It takes a lot of hard work, but the pathway to a career in aviation is achievable.”
