The night before Women Of Aviation Week opening day, the East Coast became covered in a thick blanket of snow. Despite snowy roads and flight cancellations, WOAW’s panel of guest speakers traveled to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s studio in Frederick, Md., for a Q&A session.
The panel of guests, reflecting the Women Of Aviation Week 2014 theme celebrating 100 years of female aerobatic pilots, served as the kick off for a week of events aimed at awakening aeronautic vocations among girls and women around the world.
Airshow pilot, Jacquie Warda, of Jacquie B Airshows, Flying Circus wing walker Jana Leigh McWhorter, and aerobatic performer Melissa Pemberton,of Pemberton Aerosports joined WOAW U.S. Team Leader Victoria Neuville for a discussion on just what it is like to be a woman in aviation.
Jana discussed her scariest moment as a wing walker, while Jacquie described just what it takes to be where she is at today while Melissa shared just how much traveling is involved in her aviation career. Each guest offered words of wisdom to female pilots and those looking to enter the aviation community.
The panel discussion is just one of many special interviews to be held throughout the week. An interview from world solo flight record holder, CarolAnn Garrett, with Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world, debuts Wednesday, March 5. This interview highlights WOAW’s second theme this year: 50 years of women flying solo around the word.
Other events include a live interview from wing walker Carol Pilon as she joins production test pilot Carole Pilon on March 8 from Lachute-Montreal.
Women of Aviation Worldwide Week is dedicated to bringing more women into the aviation industry through introducing girls and women to the opportunities opened up by flight. Each year tens of thousands of girls and women with no previous exposure to aviation visit airports where they are welcomed by thousands of aviation professionals and enthusiasts.
For more information: womenofaviationweek.org