Girls in Aviation Day 2022 Inspires Over 16,000 Participants
October 17, 2022 – Thousands of girls, ages 8-17, around the world experienced WAI’s 8th Annual Girls in Aviation Day on September 24 in their local communities through unique events hosted by WAI chapters and corporate members. This year’s GIAD received a special commemoration with the relaunch of the Aviation for Girls App to enhance young learners’ educational experience all year-round. In addition, WAI launched a new and free Junior membership for ages 18 and younger with all the benefits of membership.
More than 120 events took place at airports, FBOs, museums, and hangars in 19 countries across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Girls were introduced to the career and lifestyle possibilities in aviation and aerospace by meeting female role models, listening to career panels, and exploring airplanes and airports. In addition, girls participated in a wide array of hands-on, fun and educational activities ranging from a sectional chart treasure hunt, making paper airplanes and helicopters, learning about aircraft engines and avionics, and exploring weather systems and space.
The one-day experience will continue year-round with hours of educational content available on the Aviation for Girls App which has already been downloaded by nearly 1,000 users in 37 countries. The AFG App features digital issues of Aviation for Girls magazine, aviation and STEM activities, videos of female aviators highlighting various careers and aviation books, virtual tours of manufacturers, museums, and airports, information about WAI scholarships, and a timeline of Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees.
“We know that Girls in Aviation Day has been instrumental in lighting the spark of interest in aviation and aerospace where girls are introduced to all the various career possibilities in a positive and fun event that is a trademark of our WAI chapters and corporate members,” says WAI CEO Allison McKay. “Seeing the excitement from the attendees of our Girls in Aviation Day events, we can now continue to engage them throughout the year with our Aviation for Girls App, free Junior membership, and all the WAI resources. Our programs, in addition to the work of our industry partners, will finally change the face of this industry.”
Download a selection of GIAD photos HERE.
About Girls in Aviation Day: Since WAI’s first annual international Girls in Aviation Day in 2015, the annual WAI event has grown every year since its first gathering of 32 events and 3,200 participants. In 2019, GIAD met more than 20,000 attendees participating in 119 events in 18 countries. In 2020––owing to COVID-19––WAI launched the free Aviation for Girls App with hours of educational content reaching thousands of girls from more than 60 countries. Last year’s GIAD reached nearly 10,000 participants at 85 individual events presented worldwide. While a majority of events were held in person, many were organized for virtual gatherings through the use of the AFG App and additional video content.
Many thanks to our 2022 Girls in Aviation Day partners for their generous support. PREMIER – United Airlines CONTRIBUTING – ISTAT Foundation, PPG Foundation, SkyWest Airlines, Sporty’s Pilot Shop, U.S. Air Force SUPPORTING – Alaska Airlines, GE Aviation, Leidos, Lycoming Engines ADDITIONAL – Baylor Institute for Air Science, Collins Aerospace, ConocoPhillips, Emanual Bachmann Foundation, JCL Aviation Services, JSX