WAI Conference Attendees Offer Their Perspectives on the Aviation Industry
On February 25th through February 27th, 2010, the Women in Aviation International organization held their 21st annual conference; over 3,000 women and men gathered at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to celebrate the 2010 WAI Conference theme, “Aviation – It’s a Small World.” Developed in 1990, Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women throughout aviation career sectors and interests.
WAI’s year-round assistance provides networking, education, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for all who seek careers in the aviation and aerospace industries, both women and men. Additionally, WAI strives to promote public education on historical contributions of women within the aviation industry. Looking towards the future, WAI remains fiercely dedicated to the further advancement of women in aviation. The organization’s 8,000+ membership includes a wide-range of industry representatives including astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, air show performers, educators and students; through this extensive international membership network, WAI offers a diverse base for both personal and career development opportunities, particularly for women within the industry.
In an effort to optimize these networking opportunities, Women in Aviation, International began annual WAI conferences, holding the first gathering in 1990. Now, twenty years later, the WAI conferences remain a crucial hub for both career advancement and education. Each year, WAI conference attendees partake in general information sessions, seminars, and educational forums. Visitors are able to receive face-to-face interaction with more than 200 industry representatives offering both employment and educational opportunities. In celebration, Aero-TV spoke with some of the nearly 3,000 conference attendees to get their perspectives on the advancement of women in aviation and how the WAI organization continues to support that advancement. In the third part of the three-part series, attendees offer their perspectives on the benefits of attending WAI’s annual conference.
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Aero-TV: 'Tico Belle' C-47 -- The Grand Ol' Gal Lives On
Legendary Bird Keeps Flying After Being A Part of 65 Years of Aviation History
Every historic aircraft has a story to tell... and the 'Tico Belle" has seen 65 years of aviation history, which means that it has a LOT of stories in its background.... if only this airplane could talk. From the Normandy invasion to Cherbourg, to Arnhem, to Bastogne, to the Berlin Airlift and much more, this aircraft was there -- over 65 years ago. Today the "Tico Belle" is a flying extension of the Valiant Air Command museum with an important mission to educate the public about military history and what it meant to not only serve in World War II, but to have been present when so many sacrificed so much in the service of this Country.
Aero-TV: Ya Gotta Know When To Fold 'Em -- Sonex 'Onex' Single-Seater
Monnett's Thriftiest Flyer Yet... With Folding Wings!
Drawings of John Monnett's Onex concept aircraft were first shown at AirVenture 2009, while the real thing, nearly ready for flight test, made its debut at this year’s Oshkosh event. The Onex is a simple and economical single-place all metal aircraft design that promises to continue the lineage of outstanding Sonex Aircraft sport pilot performance. In addition to being a single-place aircraft, the Onex stands-out as a unique design with its folding wing mechanism, which allows the aircraft to meet standard trailer widths while fitting into a standard 7’ garage door, and the wing panels can easily be removed for trailering at highway speeds.
Aero-TV: The Compact SolidFX8 -- An Updated Paperless Cockpit Solution
The Most Readable Electronic Chart Solution We've Seen Yet
There seems to be no end to the new 'electronic charting" solutions that are coming our way... but few (if any) boast the level of clear readability that we've seen from t he SolidFX FX8. SolidFX introduced the FX8 and FX8-3G, the newest additions to the FX Series of Aviation Information Managers, last Spring. Using the SolidFX FXView application, the FX8 and FX8-3G Aviation Information Managers serves as a chart reader, notepad, cockpit organizer, electronic briefcase and library.
Aero-TV: Sikorsky Innovations' Project Firefly -- Electrifying The Future Of Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Remains One of Aviation's Most Aggressively Innovative Companies
Oshkosh 2010 was no stranger to innovation... though we must note that this year was a bumper crop in terms of the breadth of excitement we saw within the confines of Wittman Field... sport aviation, GA, BizAv, Military, Aerospace, you name it... there was no shortage of exciting innovations to feast your eyes on... especially where Sikorsky was concerned.
Aero-TV: TCM's Rhett Ross -- There's A New Turbo In Town
TCM's Alternative Turbo For The SR22 Has The Industry Talking
A few weeks back, at the 2010 Cirrus Owner's and Pilot's Association annual convention, ANN had thew chance to get some additional details on the TCM alternative for the Turbo-charged SR22 series. While the Tornado Alley STC has gotten high marks from owners, TCM felt that it was time to offer an all Continental solution to a segment of the industry that has proven to be hard-flying and demanding aircraft operators.
Aero-TV: Something Old, Something New -- The Launch of Kestrel Aircraft
Alan Klapmeier Fills In More Details On The Kestrel Development Program
One of the best pieces of news to come out of Oshkosh 2010 (outside of the fact that the floods had abated) was the announcement and details surrounding two amazing 'Re-Introductions' -- the rebirth of the speedy and rugged Kestrel turbo-prop program and re-emergence of Cirrus Founder Alan Klapmeier to lead yet another innovative aircraft development program.
Aero-TV: Tsunami Air Racing -- Rebuilding A Legacy
A Tragic Loss May Someday Be Brought Back To Flight Status
It was one of the most aggressive efforts to energize American air racing... an one of its greatest tragedies... Tsunami, the first original homebuilt unlimited racer built since 1939, was designed for speed record attempts and air racing until its loss on September 25th, 1991. Tsunami crashed while on final approach to Pierre Municipal Airport in Pierre, South Dakota killing pilot John R. Sandberg, due to a mechanical control failure that resulted in an irrecoverable flight condition.
Aero-TV: Best Seat in The House -- 'Inside' The AeroShell Aerobatic Team
Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job
When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot of extra responsibility. Still... with all that, there ARE times when its good to be the top guy.... like when our friends at Aspen Avionics call over and ask if we want to put one of our Aero-TV videographers aboard a formation aerobatic flight with the world famous Aero-Shell Aerobatic Team. At such times, its good to be in a position to say... "Hey, I want to go..." and go.
Aero-TV: Coming Home To Roost -- The 'Last Time' For The DC-3 Community
An Extraordinary Gathering That May Truly Be The Last Of Its Kind
What a concept... An historic event, billed as “The Last Time”, was organized to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the DC-3 type aircraft. Designed as an airliner in 1935, the DC-3 was pressed into military service in WWII as the C-47 and served in every theater of the war. Formerly; the largest gathering of them, in any one place, was at the English air fields in preparation for the D-day invasion of Normandy. Some of these same crew members once again flew in these magnificent birds gathering at Whiteside Airport (KSQI) in Rock Falls, IL, just a few weeks ago.
Aero-TV: Avidyne's Synthetic Vision -- Taking R9 To The Next Level
GA's Most Revolutionary Glass Cockpit Is About To Go 'Synthetic'
After taking the GA world by storm, the highly capable and oh-so-usable Avidyne Release 9 glass panel system is poised to take its next big leap... not as fast as some others have done, but still built upon a system lauded worldwide for its ease of use and single-pilot friendliness.
Aero-TV: Steel Aviation Inc -- The Ins and Outs of Buying/Selling Aircraft
Its One Of The Biggest Purchases In A Pilot's Lifetime... So Why Not Learn From The Pros?
A little over a year and half ago, we undertook the biggest purchase of our lives... more expensive than any house we've ever owned, we cast fate to the wind and sunk a huge chunk of cash in a Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo demo bird... and while it wasn't the only time we've ever bought an airplane, it was definitely the scariest. Simply put, we'd NEVER spent that kind of money before... and the ability to consult with a number of experienced pros (like Jaime) was the only reason the whole deal ultimately came off.
Aero-TV: SubSonex 'Teeny' Jet -- Re-Engined and Ready For Flight Test
Even Smaller Than A Micro-Jet, 'Monnett's Madness' Has Produced Something Even Cooler Than Usual
I think John Monnett is nuts... a pure, certifiable, grade-A, crazy-man... and in the best of all possible ways. His inspired madness has not only brought forth some great airplanes that have furnished the necessary means (and yes, madness) by which hundreds, even thousands, of pilots (overall) have managed to keep their hearts, minds and bodies in the world of flight, but he shows NO signs of slowing down. And for that, aviation is a better (and more affordable) place.
Aero-TV: Having It Your Way -- Ron Tarrson's Aspen-Equipped Navion
A Classic Flying Machine Gets A Taste Of The Future
While companies like Avidyne and Garmin have introduced a new generation of GA aircraft owners to the glass panel revolution with every new airplane built these days (or so it seems), a quiet little company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has made that same revolution available to many thousands of other pilots and airplanes with one of the most divinely inspired glass panel upgrades seen so far. Aspen Avionics' Evolution system, available in everything form a simple but truly affordable single screen installation to a deluxe (and still surprisingly cost-effective) three tube installation with ALL the bells and whistles. NEVER in the history of GA, have we had better choices and greater capabilities... and Aspen is a large part of the reason that this is so.
Aero-TV: TCM's Diesel Ambitions -- Ready To Power the Future
TCM Has Several Development Programs Looking To The Future of GA Propulsion
While aviation seems to have more than its share of trials and tribulations at the moment, it boasts one particularly solid resource... that there are great people and solid companies ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow. TCM's aero-diesel development program is one such example of what gives us great hope for the future of our industry... though we'll (no doubt) still have to deal with bumps and bruises along the way.
Aero-TV: All Things Old May Be New Again -- The Ultimate 'Classic' Kitfox
Coolest Kitfox EVER Gets Serious Attention At Oshkosh 2010
There's something about the Kitfox... an aircraft series that was a true pioneer in the sport aviation arena for quite a number of years... and through good times and bad. It was the aircraft that brought thousands of pilots to aircraft ownership and inspired many thousands more to pursue flight. As uniquely identified with the early sport kit revolution as the Piper Cub was to early GA, the Kitfox has not only weathered the last few decades fairly well, but may yet see some of its finest days... in its future.
