NEWS RELEASE 04-07
JULY 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oshkosh, July 23, 2007: Looking around the show grounds, a visitor could easily get the impression that flying is an all-male interest. “Not so,” says Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President of Women in Aviation, International, a 7000+-member association formed to encourage women’s participation in all aspects of aviation, especially as a career.
"Our members’ passion for aviation is strong,” says Dr. Chabrian. “Name any aspect of aviation from corporate pilots to A&Ps, from avionics techs to flight instructors, aviation historians and air traffic controllers, and we have members who are accomplished in that field as well as newcomers interested in pursuing that particular interest.”
During EAA AirVenture, Women in Aviation (Exhibit Hangar D, Booth 4100-4101) staff and volunteer members will talk to show goers about the benefits of association membership, which is open to men as well as women. Among the more attractive benefits of membership is approximately $500,000 awarded annually (yes, annually) in scholarships in the form of tuition funding as well as flight training, including type ratings.
These scholarships are not just for students. Some scholarships are designed for individuals wanting to make a mid-life career change or just to learn to fly for fun. More information on WAI’s scholarships may be found at www.wai.org.
Members attending AirVenture will have an opportunity to connect at WAI’s Connect Celebrity Breakfast, held this year on Friday, July 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Chevron Global Aviation is the sponsor of the breakfast and have been for five years.
Special guests include John and Martha King who will announce a benefit for members who attend WAI’s 2008 Conference in the Kings’ home base of San Diego, California.
Air show pilots Julie Clark and Patty Wagstaff and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team will also be on hand for the breakfast. Tickets purchased at the WAI booth or at the door are $25 for members and $30 for non-members.
“We can’t match EAA AirVenture in size – not yet anyway, but our annual Conference can compete in spirit,” says Dr. Chabrian. The next WAI Conference will be held at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California, from March 13-15, 2008. One highlight of this year’s Conference is a pre-Conference WAI Military Day where the Navy, Coast Guard and Marines provide a static aircraft display at the North Island Naval Base, along with a U.S. Coast Guard air/water demonstration and a tour of an aircraft carrier.
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for men and women who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information about the Conference and about WAI, contact WAI at 3647 State Route 503 South, West Alexandria, OH 45381, Phone (937) 839-4647; Fax (937) 839-4645 or through www.wai.org.
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Contact:
Connie Lawrence
Women in Aviation International
937-839-4647 Phone
937-839-4645 Fax