Colorado pilot Penny Hamilton was recently awarded a grant from the Wolf Aviation Fund to conduct a research study to find out why more women aren’t pilots. According to a story at AOPA.org, Hamilton will conduct in-depth interviews with female general aviation students and pilots regarding their flight training experiences. The story, which notes that only 6% of all pilot in the U.S. are women, quotes Hamilton:
“Why? That is the big question. This research project is looking at what barriers do women experience and how might their success rate be improved.”
Dear Ms. Hamilton:
The question of why there are not more women pilots is a worthy one and well worth examination. I have acquired over 5000 hours teaching people how to fly, both civil and military. I would estimate that I have had more women students than any other single instructor. There are reasons for this. I have examined this issue in depth over the last 40 years. The reasons there are not more women students and thus pilots, is due to a number of factors, but a couple of them are key. If you would desire to learn what I have discovered, contact me through GAN. It will be worth your time. My explanations are too lengthy for this venue.
Time, time and more time are the big ones for me. I’m a licensed pilot (23 years) but with a family and work, flying has had to be the lowest priority while raising a family which means it’s always the first thing to get cut from the schedule.