New Brownie badge to get more girls flying

A new aviation badge for Brownies has been unveiled as part of a campaign to encourage more girls to become pilots.

To earn the award, Brownies will have to carry out aeronautical experiments using different materials and launch techniques, as well as name 40 things that fly.

Tens of thousands of Brownies – girls aged seven to 10 – are expected to take part in the activities in the first year of the new badge.

It has been introduced in partnership with easyJet, which wants 20% of its new entrant pilots to be female by 2020.

Women make up around 3% of commercial airline pilots worldwide.

EasyJet captain Marnie Munns, the lead pilot for the airline’s Amy Johnson Flying Initiative, said: “We have always believed in the importance of female role models to encourage girls to see a pilot career as a real option available to them, which is why we are really excited to be unveiling the new aviation badge for Brownies as part of our partnership with Girlguiding.

“Together, we will engage with even more young people to inspire and educate them about aviation and becoming a pilot.”

A survey of 556 pilots commissioned by easyJet found the desire to become a pilot typically happens much later for girls than it does for boys.

The majority of male pilots (55%) knew they wanted to do the job by the age of 10, whereas almost half of female pilots (44%) did not consider the role until they were over 16.

Kate McWilliams, an easyJet captain and former Brownie, said: “I never thought that being a pilot as a job was an option for me until I was nearly an adult.

“Having been a Brownie myself I am delighted that this new aviation badge will engage girls in a pilot career from an early age.”

PA. Captain Kate McWilliams in the flight deck at easyJet’s training academy, as a new aviation badge for Brownies is unveiled.