Flying above the gender gap



INDIA'S AVIATION INDUSTRY ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO PURSUE PILOTING
The Indian aviation industry promises huge growth with the introduction of new airlines, modern airports,foreign direct investments in domestic airlines and cutting-edge technology.With the arrival of new international airlines and the removal of the 520 rule that did not grant Indian airlines clearance to fly internationally until they completed five years of operation and had a fleet of 20 aircraft,growth opportunities are developing in the Indian aviation industry.Due to the increase in demand,piloting has become an attractive career choice for women.

India currently has roughly 600 female pilots and the number is increasing annually.Until recently, piloting has never been thought of as a full-time career for women.However,the thinking around suitable careers for women has changed,and one way Indian women have embraced the change is training to become pilots.India is ahead of many other countries by creating education opportunities for men and women,resulting in major airlines employing 11 per cent of female pilots while the global average is only 3 per cent.It is admirable to see women creating a positive change in the industry by choosing a piloting career in what can be a stressful,maledominated industry that requires costly training and has the added pressure of long hours away from family.

The aviation industry is working to upgrade flight skills in the country.Becoming a pilot requires technical training with an academic background in physics,math and earth sciences.With sufficient training and experience,pilots can earn a commercial pilot licence,which is given by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.AJ Aviation Academy (Bangalore),Indian Aviation Academy (Mumbai),and Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy (Hyderabad) are some of the top institutes in the country.Alternatively,major airlines in India train their own pilots by providing cadet pilot training,or arrange for it with the CAE simulator company in Bengaluru which provides A320, B737 and B777 training.Pilots can receive a commercial pilot licence and type rating training,and possible career options include working as commercial,cargo and business jet pilots,as well as air ambulance,air force and government service pilots.

Although more aviation career opportunities are developing for women,there are still challenges for women to reach the Pilot-inCommand (PIC) and First Officer positions.India will need to address the long-hours culture and create better maternity and childcare options to permit more women pilots to reach seniority,the lack of which is a common complaint amongst women working in the aviation industry. Industrial bodies such as Indian Women Pilots Association,International Society of Women Airline Pilots and Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide are constantly striving towards retaining and growing women's interest in pursuing a career in the industry.As India's socio-economic situation evolves and the manpower demand continues growing,we will see more women choosing piloting careers in aviation.