Destined to Fly, Tethered to the Ground

The Challenges of Being a Woman in the Aviation Industry.

A quick Google search of the words ‘women’, ‘aviation’ and ‘Australia’ reveal numerous articles celebrating the pioneering Australian women who soared through the skies from the 1940’s to the 1980’s.

Nancy Bird Walton and Deborah Lawrie smile back from grainy pictures, the enduring faces representing the audacious female aviators taking to the skies since the early twentieth century. These iconic faces, while representing marvel feats and resolute perseverance, are the only search results. Nothing about the women who command, fly and trailblaze throughout the Australian aviation industry today.

Recreational Aviation Australia’s Touch the Sky Documentary reports that only 1.42% of all aviation captains identify as female. For young women with their eyes on the flight deck, the odds are set against them.

Summer Russell is one of the 1.42%, captaining Beech 1900’s at Southern Airlines, Moorabbin.  

“Every day is a challenge,” she says. While her team at Southern Airlines includes another female captain and a supportive team, it is the culture of the aviation industry that poses daily challenges to women in the cockpit.

Summer Russell on the tarmac at Moorabbin Airport. The aircraft in the background is one of the Beech 1900’s she captains. (Credit: Molly England)

Australia’s requirements to qualify as a pilot are globally acclaimed to be thorough and intense. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the government body that regulates Australian Aviation Safety and the guidelines for higher education studies in aviation.

To gain her current position through CASA’s regulated and regimented process, Summer has undertaken her Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Multiengine Endorsement and Air Transport Pilot License. These licenses alone require almost 20 exams, and a knowledge of aerodynamics, navigation, human factors, flight planning, Air Traffic Control Communication, threat and error management, and endorsements in each aircraft flown. Summer also holds a Grade 2 Instructor Rating. Further, to hold a captain’s position, companies like QANTAS require at least 1000 hours of aeronautical experience. Pilots are trained at each level in emergency management procedures, stall training, and the regulated flying techniques of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).  

It is an immense study load that demands dedication, time, and a hefty HECS. Yet, despite every pilot needing to pass the same extensive qualifications, Summer is met with obstacles and prejudices daily.

“I’ve had passengers realise I’m the pilot and ask for someone else to fly them”, she says.

Learn to Fly, an aviation school based at Moorabbin Airport and Summer’s alma mater, report that while women make up 1.42% of aviation captains, as a whole they make up 6% of the aviation industry in roles ranging from flying, maintaining and supporting aircraft. The lack of representation on the flight deck in positions of leadership creates a challenging culture for diversity to flourish in.  

“Sometimes I’ll be talking to someone on the radio, like a refueller, and they’ll ask to speak to the pilot”, Summer says. “I just have to let them assume [I’m not the pilot], because I can’t spend all my time being angry at them for their prejudices”.

The assumptions of men holding positions of authority on aircraft can be fatiguing for women in command. Some days Summer says she is “defeated” by the constant battle to be heard and respected. Other days, she thinks “who cares, I still get to fly and do what I love”.

“The sad reality is that it is like this everywhere. It’s the subconscious bias that hurts the most. The assumptions that I am cabin crew, or airport staff, not the one in charge”.

Summer reflected on the importance of perseverance throughout her journey, and her refusal to be discouraged by the undermining of her qualifications. The endurance required to face the laborious task of proving herself each day reflects the ignorance which is damaging the dignity of women in aviation.

However, there has been a shift in the last five years to encourage women onto the flight deck. The Australian Women’s Pilot Association (AWPA) works to support and empower women undertaking careers in flying and fosters unity amongst the female aviator community. The AWPA offers over $100,000 annually in scholarships to women undertaking qualifications in the industry and works to foster a strong sense of belonging within a male dominated workforce.

Summer Russell in the captain’s seat of a Beech 1900 at Southern Airlines. (Credit: Molly England)

Summer’s ease behind the complicated controls of the aircraft radiates confidence and passion for her work.

As she sits assuredly in the captain’s seat, her steadfastness through the turbulent world of aviation is an empowering example to the female aviators looking up toward the sky.