Abstract

Women have always been underrepresented in the aviation industry. Famous aviatrixes like Amelia Earhart, Amy Johnson, and Jerri Cobb have dreamed of a time when it would not be unusual to see women in the cockpit. By 2012, the industry had accepted that women are very capable of being pilots. Despite being accepted, women are vastly underrepresented in all areas of the aviation industry. According to the 2011 Federal Aviation Administration, only 6% of pilots are women. Non-pilot women certificates are a little higher at 22%. Both of these numbers show the lack of women in all aspects of the industry. With an impending pilot shortage, it is becoming more imperative that the number of women in aviation increases. Research has proven that women are physically and mentally capable as men to pilot aircraft and participate in top management decisions. Women are discouraged from being a part of the industry due to four reasons: the military, familial responsibilities, stereotypes, and a solitary lifestyle. In order to increase the number of women in aviation, motivation and social norm are the key. Women need to feel accepted and have the necessary support to enter the industry and remain in it. The second step is for the industry, as a whole needs to become more female friendly and promote itself to girls at a young age.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 2013

Mentor

Anthony W. Adams

Mentor Department Affiliation

Applied Engineering and Technology

Access Options

Restricted Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Applied Engineering and Technology

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