Cabin to cockpit: Women pilots show girls new dreams

New Delhi: The aviation industry has conventionally been male-dominated. The only visible position occupied so far by women has been in the cabin. However, despite the challenges of long working hours, erratic schedules and a bias in the technical field, women are now striving to make their mark in aviation as well.

Few know that being a pilot or an air hostess is not the only job for women in the sector and it is this misconception that Ninety-Nines are out to disprove.
Ninety-Nines Inc is an international organization of women pilots. Its India chapter along with Indian Women’s Pilot Association has been organizing Women of Aviation Worldwide Week, a familiarization programme for underprivileged girls to coincide with International Women’s Day. The event started on March 4 and will continue till March 10 during which the girls will be taken to the air traffic control tower, the Air Force museum and a hot air balloon ride over Gurgaon.
“The aim of the programme is to bring masses close to aviation. The problem is that not too many are aware of the opportunities in aviation and we want the girls to think out of the box and explore every possibility that comes their way,” said Captain Nivedita Bhasin.
06/03/13 Neha Lalchandani/Times of India