Pilot inspires young women to pursue aviation industry

Only six per cent of professional pilots and 2.8 per cent of airplane mechanics are women. One Langley pilot wants to change that. 

The 2,500 spots for The Sky's No Limit, Girls Fly Too event this March filled up in four days, according to founder and pilot, Kirsten Brazier. The organization aims to inspire more women to pursue a career in aviation by giving them hands-on experience with planes and helicopters.

"We believe it's a perception barrier, not any unwelcome barrier. If you never see a women doing that job it never occurs to you that you could do that," said Brazier, who has worked as a pilot for 23 years.

"Our mission is to basically inspire people by showing them what these careers are all about."

Growing interest

Ten thousand people attended last year's event and 1,700 of them got the chance to go up in the air. This year, Brazier made 2,500 spots available for participants who want to experience what it's like to be among the clouds. Those spots sold out in four days.

But Brazier says all participants will have the opportunity to learn what aviation is all about.

"We actually put tools in their hands, we give them the flying experience, they get to actually try out some of these skills. It's all hands on."

She is also saving a few coveted flight tickets, which will be raffled off at the event.

Brazier says she hopes to keep track of participants to see how many of them actually end up in the aviation industry.

The Sky's No Limit, Girls Fly Too is holding this year's event on March 12 and 13 at the Abbotsford International Airport. 

To listen to the full audio, click the link labelled: Pilot inspires young women to pursue aviation industry.