Women in Aviation chapter takes flight

University of Waterloo Aviation student Jodie Scarrow has established a new Women in Aviation chapter, Winged Warriors. The group will be home to a new collegiate chapter for young women with dreams of becoming the next generation of aviation professionals. The official launch event will be held at Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) at the Breslau airport on Friday (March 2) at 7 p.m.

“I have always been passionate about aviation,” said Jodie Scarrow, third-year UW Aviation student. “I attend every conference and event possible to get involved and learn more. When I asked if there was a women in aviation group at UW, I was told there wasn’t, but was encouraged to start one. I knew there was potential, so I readily took on the task.”

The launch event is open to anyone who is interested in aviation. Networking opportunities with women in the industry, keynote speakers and light refreshments will be provided.

Pilots are not the only career in demand. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) are also seeing a shortage in recruits and looking for new ways to source staff.

“The ratio of women to men in the aviation industry remains low,” said Bob Connors, WWFC general manager. “However, that can change with increased awareness and promotion of career opportunities to young women. There are many women pilots, AMEs and controllers who are very successful and well respected and there is huge potential for more.”

WWFC is involved in gender-equality initiatives to highlight aviation career paths. To that end, it hosts two events,