The Gender Gap in Aviation

Recently on Solutions for Higher Education, Southern Utah University President Scott L Wyatt and Michael Mower, executive director and chief flight instructor for Southern Utah University Aviation, discussed the lack of women in the aviation field.

“Less than 6% of the global population of pilots is either female or minority. It's our current reality and the industry has recognized a need to change that and SUU Aviation is trying everything we possibly can to assist.”

SUU Aviation recently partnered with I Hart Flying, a California-based nonprofit, to establish a scholarship program to help young women achieve their aviation goals. Through the partnership, SUU Aviation aims to provide up to $20,000 in flight scholarships, helping young women interested in aviation pursue their pilot’s license and increase the number of female aviators.

“In the next five years, Boeing needs 600,000 pilots, Airbus needs 500,000 pilots, and that’s just the main companies. There’s no possible way for the current aviation infrastructure to meet the global demand, so we are working hard to get the word out. Our partnership with I Hart Flying will tap into a whole market of female aviators who can fill this demand.”

“This industry is really one where you're judged based on your work and what you bring to the table versus what you look like or what your gender is. Physically, there's no difference between men and women when it comes to flight or cabin crew or maintenance. These are just amazing careers and it really pains me to, when I run into somebody that says, ‘Well, I didn't think that I could get into that because I'm of the wrong ethnicity’ or ‘I'm a female.’ And to me, that tells me that we're not doing a good enough job of getting that information out there.”

Michael Mower’s years of service and experience in the United States Air Force and as a commercial pilot have made him a renowned expert in the aviation field. Mower is well known with media and available for an interview – simply visit his profile to arrange a time.

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