The image above, depicting a female aircraft maintenance technician sporting a pair of pink shoes at work, is perhaps intended to establish her credentials as a woman MRO co-worker, working alongside her male counterparts with confidence. This then is the reality that women in the aviation MRO space live with, even in today’s world.
Historically speaking aircraft technician jobs were filled in by men, but that tide is turning, albeit slowly. Slowly, if you just go by the numbers and percentages of women in MRO.
Women in Aviation: The Numbers
An FAA study reported that out of a total of 313,093 certified aircraft mechanics, only 8,231 were women in 2021. This is a mere 2.63% of the whole, and an increase of 2.57% percent of the 2020 figures.
It is evident then, that women are hugely outnumbered in every sphere of aerospace activity, (save for flight attendants). However, the rise of women professionals has seen a steady rise and much can be done by sustaining this interest in the areas of technical expertise.
According to Women in Aviation: A Workforce Report 2021 Edition, authored by Rebecca Lutte, ‘the aviation occupation ( that is) least represented by women is maintenance technicians, followed closely by airline pilots where women make up 4.6 percent of the workforce…’
These instances no matter how admirable are few and far between.
Expertise Required for Aviation Maintenance
Aviation maintenance entails aircraft repair and maintenance, as also avionics equipment, apart from hands-on shop-floor work. Over and above technical skills, a qualified AME is expected to have the ability to think critically and hone-up problem-solving skills.
A day in the life of an aviation maintenance technician would necessitate – carrying out diagnostics and troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical issues of an aircraft; replacing malfunctioning or defective parts with serviceable and certified ones; repairing aircraft components, as critical and complex as landing gear; performing annual maintenance inspections and comprehensive checks on aircraft; very importantly, keep meticulous records of every repair and change carried out in a maintenance logbook.
It is aptitude, passion and interest that can help carve out a career as an aircraft maintenance technician – and no way is this gender-based. This continues well into career advancement and promotions to become a lead technician, an instructor an aircraft maintenance planner and so forth.
Opportunities open up for certified aircraft maintenance personnel in several industries – public, private, military, government, charter, services, and companies/businesses with their own aircraft. How to find the best fit for those roles, responsibilities and what opportunities they present can be determined by many factors – but should NEVER be based on gender. Aircraft maintenance technicians may seek employment opportunities in the following areas, apart from commercial airline companies:
Aircraft Manufacturing companies – those that deal in aircraft manufacturing and selling of aircraft such as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, etc.
Airline and aircraft regulatory and safety standards associations: like ICAO, EASA, etc. deals with formulating and certifying safety standards for airline operations.
Flying clubs – these are flying schools that provide affordable access to aircraft flying and learning, to their members.
Aviation training center – Aircraft maintenance engineers who make other students aware of AME and its scope.
Defence Forces – there are many aircraft that are operated for defence purposes that must be maintained during peace times as well.
Education in Aviation Maintenance
Apart from a formal education from a technical college, or a polytechnic teaching aircraft maintenance, for schoolchildren, including girls, of course, exposure should come early. Excursion trips to maintenance bases or college practical class walkthroughs, for mid to high-school students can be rewarding. Interest can be sparked in a child who will follow through with her goals by opting for a career in aircraft maintenance. Enrolling in flight schools or AME – related programmes should see an uptick, thereafter. Scholarships from reputed institutions, outreach activities and events do wonders as inspirations.
In the US, there are dedicated institutions such as the Technical Women’s Organization (TWO) and the Association of Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM), created for the development and maintenance of a support network of women aviation professionals in the US.
Aviation Maintenance courses, typically cover teaching and practical training programmes on how to repair and maintain aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, hydraulic systems, radio communications equipment, and so forth. Graduates in the US and some countries are required to obtain an airframe and powerplant (A&P) technician license.
Leading in India is the Indian Institute of the Aeronautical group amongst AME institutes with centers in Delhi and Patna.
Opportunities in India for women in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering roles are steadily rising with the growth of the aviation sector, with encouraging government policies and industry initiatives. Qualification is required in the form of an internationally licensed programme. Those trained and qualified as engineers and technicians receive a license issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
In India and elsewhere, women by and large entered the aviation industry qualified as pilots or trained and certified as cabin attendants. With social changes sweeping across social classes, we should see more women entering the field hitherto seen as male bastions. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering as a profession for women is no exception. A women AME must know and take pride in the crucial job at hand- i.e., safety, security and maintenance of aircraft.
Salaries in India for AME graduates on an average range from Rs 6 Lakhs to Rs 7 lakhs per annum. Freshers can expect a starting salary package of around Rs 5 lakhs per annum.
Women in MRO – Trailblazers
Women have always played a key role since the aviation industry first took flight and have made strides in the industry, and their influence is being felt through the ages. Here are a few names:
Katherine Wright
It was Katherine Wright who helped her brothers Wilbur and Orville to create an efficient wing design. The rest they say is history. Moreover, with a demonstration flight in Paris, Katherine established herself to become the first woman to fly on an aircraft.
Phoebe Omlie
As a female aviator, Phoebe Omlie, is famous for her death-defying aerial acrobatics, including dancing the Charleston on the wing of the plane! She was also the first woman to get an airplane mechanics license. Having worked with several aeronautical agencies in the US, she carried out research in aviation, and helped to standardize federal, state, and local air search and rescue procedures.
Mary Feik
Mary Feik was a well-known female maintenance technician who has the distinction of being the first woman aviation engineer. She taught aviation mechanics to the Army Air Corps and logged 6,000 flying hours. Mary Feik was an expert on the subject of military aircraft operations during WWII, having written several training manuals. Apart from this, Ms.Feik was the first female engineer in the research and development wing of the Air Technical Services Command.
The list of trailblazing career achievements for women in aviation can go on – but it must do so, particularly for Women in MRO
Stacey Rudser
For instance, Stacey Rudser, aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) at Thales in Orlando, Florida, USA, after her high school graduation somehow veered towards studies in aircraft maintenance. Recalls Stacey Rudser,“… I knew it was a lot of reading, paperwork, and critical thinking, and those were all things that I really enjoyed.”
“And then, getting to hit airplanes with hammers, who wants to say no to that? It’s great fun…”, she rejoices.
In fact, in 2009 she became the first woman to graduate from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Orlando, Florida.
Rudser as a member of the FAA’s inaugural Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB), is tasked with developing strategies to improve female recruitment and retention in the industry.
Flight Lt. Hina Jaiswal
The Indian Air Force inducted Flight Lt. Hina Jaiswal as the first woman flight engineer, in 2015. Due to her prowess in defence capabilities, she was selected for the prestigious Flight Engineers’ course, earning her a Flight Engineer’s wing. Hina Jaiswal graduated with an Engineering degree from the University of Punjab.
In 2019, the Ministry of Defence dedicated one entire day at the Aero India event, to women in defence, including the engineering wing. This is an important initiative to encourage women to show their skills and advance their careers, importantly.
Sqn Leader Aashritha V Olety
Graduating from the 43rd Flight Test course, after a year’s stint at a Pilot school, Sqn Leader Aashritha V Olety has made India proud as the country’s first and only woman flight test engineer, in the Indian Air Force. She has been given tremendous responsibility, for evaluating aircraft and airborne systems before their induction.
Similar efforts and initiatives undertaken by aviation authorities and associations can go a long way in shoring up the numbers game in favour of women in MRO.
Women in MRO can bridge the gap in workforce deficit, post-pandemic
As the world began recovery in 2021 from the pandemic years, the aerospace sector was challenged with a shortfall in the skilled workforce. With large grounded aircraft fleets across the globe, potential aspirants wanting to enter the aviation industry opted for alternatives.
Compounded further, is the aviation industry saddled with a workforce nearing retirement age*. Having to cope with the resurgence in air travel demand, and labour shortage the commercial airline companies, mainly.
Here is an opportune moment for filling in the workforce gap with positive signs of green shoots in the aviation sector. In the US, Aircraft Maintenance Schools have seen women’s graduate figures climb from 8% to 11% in 2021. Encouragement should come from flexibility in working hours, ending discrimination and harassment at the workplace and ensuring equal pay for equal work, as also related fairness practices, anywhere in the world. Systemic changes are required to give way to work culture changes.
Correctly put by Stacey Rudser – the preference for aircraft maintenance as a career option may not be communicated effectively by guidance counsellors, or parents. “Yes, it’s hands-on, but it’s so much more…There is a pathway from your toolbox to the C-suite, says Rudser.” Mentorship is key.
A delightful initiative called ‘Chix Fix’
Chix Fix is a team initiative put together by women managers from United Airlines who take part in an annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition event. Players form teams and are given tasks to accomplish in 15 mins. Teams change out a valve, repair sheet metal, switch out brakes and wheels, and perform an oil test analysis. The participants must follow up-to-date safety procedures and clean-up protocols. United too, supports the teams with funding and at the end of the competition, winners go home with prize money.
According to Laura Spolar, a Chix Fix team coach “Women can fly planes, but they can also fix planes.” And hence the coinage of the term Chix Fix!
*According to the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) 2021 Pipeline Report, 36 percent of AMTs are age 60 or older.
Reference Credit:
- flymag.com
- calaero.edu
- mashable.com
