The Ladies of the Air

“The men flyers have given out the impression that aeroplaning is very perilous work, something that an ordinary mortal should not dream of attempting. But when I saw how easily the man flyers manipulated their machines I said I could fly”

Harriet Quimby, American Bird Woman, Good Housekeeping Magazine, September 1912

“I’ve had a lifelong passion for aviation, and I want to ensure that young women have ample opportunities to achieve their dreams. Being supported by female role models was key to my success and enjoyment whilst learning to fly. One of the main aims of this project is to raise the aspirations of young girls and to promote aviation as an exciting and accessible career choice.”

The AVIATRIX project – Mission and Vision

Kanchana Gamage – Founder & Director

The AVIATRIX project is an initiative aimed at inspiring women and girls to fly. The project raises awareness among young women and girls about aviation as a potential career choice. In collaboration with the BWPA (British Women Pilots’ Association) and supported by the existing female pilots, the project successfully inspires and boosts the confidence of young women and girls to pursue an exciting and accessible career as pilots.

Aside from the awareness objective and the inspirational side, the AVIATRIX project strives to offer opportunities to young ladies from underprivileged backgrounds.

The AVIATRIX project’s aims

STEM = science, technology, education, and math

STEM + Students = Success in Aviation

To boost young ladies’ and girls’ success in aviation, the students must develop their skills in STEM. In order to achieve this, the project goals are to work thoroughly and closely with primary and secondary schools and higher education institutions to inspire young women and girls in STEM and stimulate them about aviation.

• To encourage women and girls to take to the skies.
• To encourage those from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider STEM careers.
• To deliver high-quality school visits to deliver assemblies, talks, and workshops to promote diversity & inclusion in aviation & aerospace.
• To run a taster flight program to identify young people to inspire them to learn to fly.
• To create opportunities and promote scholarships and awards which exist.

How is this done?

It is done mainly through the help and support of role models. Role models are extremely effective in inspiring and impassioning young women and girls. Robust partnerships were developed for this purpose with schools to support students keen to explore aviation opportunities. Women commercial and private pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals visit schools to deliver gatherings and workshops linked to the predefined aviation-related curriculum.

Another way the project supports young women and girls pursuing a career in aviation is by promoting scholarships and awards to gain a pilot’s license and offering other funding opportunities.

This is a remarkable initiative to raise the aspirations and knowledge of the young ladies to boost their confidence and show them with real-life examples that it can be done. It is a great way to encourage the young ladies to believe in themselves and to know that there are no limits or barriers to achieving anything they set their mind to.