Women in Aviation, International (WAI) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) have partnered to create “Women’s Wing,” a section of AOPA Summit devoted to highlighting the accomplishments of and opportunities for women within the aviation community. AOPA Summit will be held from Nov. 5- 7, in Tampa, Florida.
Rooms 11 and 12 of the Tampa Convention Center have been set aside during AOPA Summit for Women’s Wing as a show-long home for attendees interested in learning more about how women contribute to aviation, finding out more about learning to fly or pursuing an aviation career. The rooms will be used for everything from a hosted social gathering point to the site of forums and networking. Seminars on learning to fly, and information on careers in aviation and the history of women in aviation will be made available.
“We’re working hard with AOPA to increase the visibility of women at aviation events such as AOPA Summit,” said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. “AOPA Summit gives WAI a fantastic opportunity to reach out to individuals who may not necessarily know about all the resources that are readily available from scholarships to mentoring programs.”
On Friday, Nov. 6, a Women Leaders in Aviation Forum will be held in Room 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Co-moderated by Chabrian and Martha King, panelists include Jessica Cox, motivational speaker and the first person without arms to obtain sport pilot certificate; Debby Rihn Harvey, Southwest Airlines captain, air show performer, aerobatic champion and aerobatic school owner; Arlynn McMahon, 2009 CFI of the Year and Vice President and Director of Aero-Tech; and Melissa Rudinger, AOPA vice president and assistant to the president.
In addition, Chabrian will participate in the opening session of AOPA Summit called “One Voice,” which will be moderated by AOPA President Craig Fuller and will take place Thursday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Other panelists include Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman; Paula Derks, AEA president; Jim Coyne, NATA president; and Ed Bolen, NBAA president.
Women in Aviation will host a WAI Connect Breakfast at AOPA Summit on Friday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Room #11 (first floor) of the Tampa Convention Center.
Women in Aviation returns to Florida for its 21st Annual International Women in Aviation Conference scheduled for Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando, from Feb. 25-27, 2010. For more information: WAI.org.
