Girls in Aviation Day Ready for Virtual Take Off

Women in Aviation International’s (WAI) 6th Annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) will deliver a free, year-round experience for girls ages 8-17 around the world through the launch of a new Aviation for Girls (AFG) App, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force.

Available to all interested in aviation/aerospace and STEM, the AFG App is the tool WAI will provide to deliver valuable content and resources including career videos, virtual museum tours, scholarship information, hands-on activities, book readings in multiple languages, as well as digital issues of Aviation for Girls magazine. And despite the name, girls and boys are both welcome to participate.

The Aviation for Girls App is available now to download, but the content will be launched on its official Girls in Aviation Day – September 26, 2020.

“WAI is thrilled to connect with girls all year, without geographic constraints, and on their schedule, through our virtual experience delivered in the Aviation for Girls App,” says WAI CEO Allison McKay. “WAI will continue our expanding program of encouraging and inspiring girls – no matter where they live or learn – all-year-round with a continuously growing library of content that is key to the GIAD experience. We’re grateful that the U.S. Air Force values the importance of Girls in Aviation Day and has partnered with us to help launch the Aviation for Girls App, allowing us to bring the world of aviation to so many all over the world.”

The U.S. Air Force understands the importance of inspiring girls at a young age.  “Since gender roles start influencing children as young as age 4, it’s important to begin inspiring girls at a young age, and our sponsorship of the 6th Annual Girls in Aviation Day is a great way to do that,” says Lt. Col. Annie Driscoll, commander of AFRS’ Detachment 1. “Women are underrepresented in the rated careers in the Air Force, and in aviation in general, and with our partnership with Women in Aviation International we hope to change that. We want to help all girls aim high!”

In addition, GIAD attendees using the app will qualify to apply for WAI 2021 scholarships, and will receive monthly WAI Connect eNewsletters, and the digital version of Aviation for Women magazine.

The 32nd annual International Women in Aviation Conference will be held March 11-13, 2021, in Reno, Nevada.