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How can a woman become a pilot in such a male dominated field?

I’ve always loved planes, they’re never scared me, in fact, I’ve always felt safe in them somehow. I want to be a pilot, but knowing that the chances of them choosing a man surpasses the chance of a woman being chosen is frightening. I mean, how many times have you boarded a plane and heard a feminine voice over the intercom saying “This is your captian speaking”? How can a young woman be guaranteed a spot in such a male dominated field, do we have to work twice as hard as men do? #aviation #sexism

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Andrei’s Answer

Hello Aliyah,

If you want to be a pilot, then be a pilot! Don't let a stereotype deter you from following your dream. I can't speak for the airlines, but in the corporate aviation world I have met many females that are just as competent and successful as their male counterparts.

In the old days of aviation, physical strength may have played a role, but in today's modern aircraft with fly by wire technology where you need a delicate touch, that simply is not the case anymore. As the other professional answered, be the best pilot you can be and let your experience, attitude and abilities speak for themselves.

English is my second language, and I used to think that my accent will hold me back. Time and time again I found that I was the only one that was worried about it, and most did not even noticed.

Hope to hear your voice over the intercom one day. Good luck.
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Robert’s Answer

Aliyah, your assumption that it is harder for women to become pilots and that they have to work twice as hard simply isn't true. In fact, because women and minorities are underrepresented in aviation (and other fields) companies are actively pursuing them and hold special recruiting events aimed specifically at hiring more of them. Your perception that it is harder for women is probably one of the reasons some do not pursue a career in aviation. Forget all that and Go For It!!!

Robert recommends the following next steps:

Aviation is a demanding and exacting profession that requires attention to detail, uncompromising excellence and long hours of work and study but you absolutely can do it if you want to bad enough. Study hard, get good grades, take some flying lessons to make sure you really enjoy it and go get it. There are no external forces holding you back.
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Lenka’s Answer

Hi Aliyah,

I am not a pilot but I have been working in fields that are male dominated. I used to ask myself exactly the same question.
My advice is don't doubt yourself, just do it.

Many professions are still male dominated and they will remain male dominated. According to ILO, the current global labor force participation rate for women is close to 49%. For men, it’s 75% (see more on https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/Employment/barriers-women). In addition, when already employed, women tend to work in low-quality job.

There are many barriers for women to enter highly qualified jobs but I would say that women tend to doubt themselves (maybe because they are conditioned to doubt themselves?) and ask exactly this question: If this is a male dominated world, will I fit?
My answer is: Yes, absolutely!

Even though women represent only a tiny portion of the pilot population, international aviation organizations as well as airlines agree that they need more women in their workforce. You can get scholarship and support as a woman because aviation organizations and airlines are aware of the myriad of barriers preventing women to realize their career as a pilots, air traffic controllers etc.

So many companies have been implementing diversity and inclusion programs, trying to attract women to step into leadership roles and allowing them to reach a right work-life balance. In aviation, you can have a look at WAI - https://www.wai.org/.

As for working twice as hard as men, that's a good question. On the professional field, I do no think women have to hard more than men (I'm speaking from my personal experience only, it may be different in other countries). However, when you include things like building a career and having a family at the same time, the numbers speak on their own: women are most likely to do most of the unpaid housework or work around children. However, I believe it depends on you, your passion and goals, and your personal boundaries. I believe we should not accept the stereotypes around women and men and should lead by example.

Wishing you all the success with your career in aviation!
Best,
Lenka
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