Those pink boots sported by Stacey Rudser at work as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician at Thales, Florida (US) speak a thousand words. From waiting tables and working in a customer service role to searching the internet on how to be an aircraft mechanic, Rudser got on to her starting block as she enrolled in an airframe and powerplant (A&P) school.
Thanks to ladies like Rudsar and her elk, women have carved out their rightful place in a male-dominated realm as Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, and are here to stay. “Getting to hit airplanes with hammers, who wants to say no to that? It is great fun,” said Rudser as she embarked on her journey as an aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) at Thales in Orlando, Florida, and a director for the Association of Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM).
It all takes the right training and that dash of inspiration and passion that ignite a journey where the sky is the limit for women. Yet, that yawning gender gap is striking. In 2009 Rudser became the first woman graduate of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Orlando. Even in the US – a mature aviation market, the percentage of certified women aircraft technicians is a meagre 2.62% of the total, according to the U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics. However, according to Zippier, 9.3% of aviation mechanics are women and 90.7% of aviation mechanics are men.
Through the AWAM platform, certain significant changes are constantly being sought, about scholarships and mentorship programs, and bettering the processes for recruiting and retaining such talent/skills in the industry. “Having those mentors and those resources are the biggest help in retaining the aviation workforce,” Rudser says.
Phoebe Jane Fairgrave Omlie (November 21, 1902 – July 17, 1975) was an American aviation pioneer, particularly noted for her accomplishments as an early female aviator. Omlie was the first woman to receive an airplane mechanic’s license, the first licensed female transport pilot, and the first woman to be appointed to a federal position in the aviation field.
Therefore, spreading awareness of such a platform in different regions across the globe is key to increasing the number of women in the aircraft maintenance force. More such skilled female technicians can add to those numbers with skill requirements in the new age/existing mobility segments, like rotorcraft, business aviation, general aviation, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and other new aviation segments.
The challenge then is to reduce the attrition rate which is high amongst women maintenance technicians. Bringing about flexibility in work schedules, eradicating discriminatory work cultures, and ensuring a safer working environment for women are steps that will go a long way in attracting talent and growing the pool worldwide of women aircraft maintenance technicians.
The introduction of aviation maintenance courses at educational institutions, and good career counselling can be a source of encouragement for girls looking to build a solid career and to generate interest amongst female students, where hitherto they traditionally stayed away from pursuing STEM fields.
It is a fact that women bring unique skill sets to the profession that include a keen attention to detail and importantly a humane and empathetic leadership style. These qualities stand out in sharp contrast to the somewhat ‘rough’ environment in male-dominated maintenance job setups.
Ashmita Sethi – President and Country Head of Pratt & Whitney, UTC, in India, says it all.
“Women today no longer need to conform to a stereotype-oriented model to succeed. My philosophy is… be who you are! Be yourself. This not only brings diversity to the table but also ensures that we as women leaders bring an authentic perspective on how to tackle the problems that businesses are facing today”
Ashmita was recently recognized and rewarded with for her leadership role in the aviation space, in the presence of leading luminaries from the aerospace and Defence MRO sector – at Aerospace Media Group’s signature Summit the 5th Aerospace & Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2024, New Delhi, India.
Chix Fix– Aviation Maintenance
Another interesting and exemplary initiative rolled out at United Airlines in the US, is Chix Fix- an all-female team of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians who participate in an annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition. Regarded as the Olympics of aerospace tech the Chix Fix team participate each year, in the commercial category, and has come off ‘tops’ in several categories. Here, competitors come in teams and are required to carry out certain MRO work and finish within a given time, as set by the judges.
Some Inspirational Tales
According to a Chix Fix team member, an initiative like this helps get the “…exposure out there that women can do this job, not a lot of people realize that women do this job.” This would work well and showcase women’s power and talent in this male-dominated bastion across the globe. A thumbs up for Women in MRO indeed.
A young Ms. Tabeer Bilal, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer by training, in India, has this to say: “It’s really challenging for a Woman to set a footprint in the Aviation Industry.”
“We can say it was more of male dominating industry earlier. Every day is a new challenge. Times have changed and we have moved on but whenever it comes to a Job Role in Aviation, a resume of women would change all the perspectives and the interviewer will not question her based on their expertise or skills, they will always have this thing in mind will she be able to do it??” Tabeer rightfully adds “Let’s make it a game of equality.”
“The industry is modernized but there are many changes we need to bring in our industry to make it an equal platform for women to work.”
Alice H. Parker having received a certificate from Howard University Academy way back in 1910, and is credited to be the inventor of the central heating system (those days using natural gas), not realising that this would lead to the discovery of the modern-day HVAC system. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ they say, and researching for better ways to warm her house led her to inventing the central heating system and patenting, using natural gas in 1919. It is this invention that provided a basis and concept for the way modern HVAC systems work – ducts in the system were used to heat different areas. This made history as Alice Parker became one of the earliest women of colour to be granted a US patent.
Stephanie Pope, Boeing Chief Operating Officer, and formerly Head of Boeing’s Global Services, (including MRO services) do women proud, as she has taken charge of complex and reliable services for her customers, where safety and reliability are a given. Ms. Pope exalts her team’s efforts and achievements in India, and she exclaims, “In partnership with Air Works Group Private Ltd, we celebrated the successful completion of the eighth P-8I airframe heavy maintenance inspection for the Indian Navy. I couldn’t be prouder of this team for their collaboration and steadfast commitment to our India customers. Across Boeing Global Services, we’re committed to meeting our customers’ needs and ensuring they have the readiness they need to achieve their missions. Thanks to all of our #ServiceChampions who contributed to this milestone!”
Skills required for AMEs/technicians are not just for aircraft but for the entire aerospace sector, including helicopters. Women AMEs like their male counterparts are engineers, technicians, and mechanics, and more, like – scientists and educators. All and everything that keeps assets safe in the air.
In 2009, AWAM became a national FAA Team member with the FAA Safety Team. In 2010 AWAM was honoured to be recognized by and receive a $10,000 grant from The UPS Foundation which assists in securing its electronic infrastructure to connect with members and the world to support women in the aviation technical fields.
Aircraft maintenance engineering is an internationally licensed program and draws from the finest of trained and skilled personnel. As is any branch of engineering, in India, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is regarded as a respectable and serious career option that women may consider. Given the male domination in this sector, women maintenance engineers account for 5% to 6%. Thus, going beyond pursuing the roles of airline pilots and cabin crew. A growing number of women applicants are seen, for women aircraft maintenance roles, according to the Indian Institute of Aeronautics Group. A high-demand job that pays good dividends.
Scope for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers / Technicians
A certified qualified AME is employable in several aviation related fields Airlines, Maintenance, Repair and Overhauls (MRO) industries, Aircraft Manufacturing companies such as Airbus, Boeing, aviation organizations like ICAO, EASA, Flying clubs, Aviation training centres, Civil Defence Force.
