For the past three years the Australian Air League Forest Lake Squadron in Queensland has been holding a special “Women in Aviation – Evening in the Hangar” to celebrate International Women’s Week in March.  

This year the theme was “The Future is Here for Girls and Women in Aviation” and with over 55 attendees the evening was a resounding success and the Pink Paper Plane competition as always, was hotly contested.

Each year the event features women who are leaders in their fields who share their knowledge and experience with the cadets and general public.  This year, the squadron was fortunate to be joined by Marjorie Pagani CEO of Angel Flight, Heather Stafford Business Manager from Aviation Projects and Bojana Spasojevic Lecturer in Aviation Management at Griffith University.

Each of the speakers drew on their experience in the aviation industry to showcase the different paths girls and women can take to achieve their career goals. What stood out from all of the speakers was that hard work and determination was a key success factor, however, the opportunities for involvement in the industry are growing and with the increased awareness and encouragement of girls to be involved in the industry, participation and opportunities will continue to grow.

The Forest Lake Squadron of the Australian Air League has shown over the past three years that with continued focus and engagement with girls and women in the community, change can be affected. The Squadron has gone from having no female participation in March 2016 to over 40% female participation in the Squadron in 2019.  

According to the Squadron Officer Commanding Michael Hansen, “Our aim is to provide our female cadets with the opportunity to explore all aspects of the aviation industry, and by hearing from women who are currently working in aviation, I believe it gives them the inspiration they need to follow their dreams.”

As highlighted by Bojana Spasojevic from Griffith University, with the anticipated growth of the aviation industry over the next 20 years and the increased demand for pilots, this will mean an associated increase in the need for aeronautical engineers, aircraft maintenance engineers, project managers, designers, air traffic controllers and administrators.  

“What is exciting about this future is that no matter where your talents lie, there is an opportunity for you to pursue your passion,” said Spasojevic.

The Australian Air League offers children from the ages of eight to eighteen the chance to participate in the aviation industry through involvement in activities such as gliding and powered flight camps, visits to air traffic control towers and education and leadership opportunities.  

For more information about this activity you can contact:
Olga Hansen
QLD Group Marketing and Publicity Advisor
PH: 0423 147 636
marketing.qld@airleague.com.au