Groups of all kinds across the GA spectrum seem to have become convinced this year that collaboration, rather than competition, is good for everybody, and this week at AirVenture we saw a number of announcements about new relationships. One of those was between AOPA and Women in Aviation, International (WAI), who said on Thursday at Oshkosh that they will work together to strengthen GA and attract more women to the industry. “America’s women are a tremendous audience for general aviation and are extremely important for our industry’s growth,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “They currently make up only 6 percent of the total pilot population, so the more we can do to encourage women to bring their enthusiasm and talents to aviation, the stronger we will all be.” Peggy Chabrian, president of WAI, said her group will work with AOPA on its General Aviation Serves America campaign, and the two groups will have a stronger presence at each other’s events.
AOPA will feature an all-new “Women’s Wing” area, hosted by WAI, at its AOPA Aviation Summit, Nov. 5 through 7, in Tampa. And at the WAI Annual Conference, Feb. 25 – 27, 2010, in Orlando, AOPA will expand its exhibit, present additional AOPA Air Safety Foundation seminars, and award a $3,000 student pilot scholarship for WAI members. “Women in Aviation is looking forward to working closely with AOPA,” Chabrian said.
