Bristol Groundschool Celebrates Pilots for International Women's Day

• Women make up only 4.7% of pilots in the U.K.
• Bristol Groundschool highlights Cherry Charters and Olivia Olphert

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2022, Bristol Groundschool is highlighting extraordinary women pilots who have studied at the school, including those who have won scholarships with the British Womens’ Pilot Association and the Air League.

In recent years, airlines have been stepping up their efforts to encourage women to take to the flight deck and become airline pilots. Most recently, easyJet has reopened their pilot training scheme by promoting some of their most recent recruiters including mum-of-two, captain Iris de Kan, and former gymnast, now turned senior first officer, Nina Le.

Despite this, women only make up about 4.7% of pilots in the UK according to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots.

Since 1992, Bristol Groundschool has seen hundreds of women study to become pilots including those who have won scholarships. Cherry Charters was one such student to study with Bristol Groundschool as a recipient of the 2016 Air League Bristol Groundschool scholarship. After completing her ATPL studies, she became a pilot with Charter airline Susi Air, based out of Indonesia.

BGS alumna, Olivia Olphert, completed her ATPLs in 2021 and as of Spring 2022 will be the only female seaplane pilot working for Loch Lomond Seaplanes.

When asked what advice she would give to women looking to become pilots, Olphert said: “My biggest piece of advice to women looking to become pilots would be to go for it! Although it can seem daunting entering an industry currently largely male-dominated, the statistics are changing, and aviation is becoming increasingly more accepting of diversity! It can be tough at times but having a good support structure and a focused goal helps to push through.

“Fewer than 6% of pilots worldwide are female, but by networking and meeting other women pilots, there is a lot of support available from people who may have experienced similar challenges as you.

“Personally, I’m lucky enough to have had a really positive experience as a woman in aviation and have been welcomed into the workplace warmly by all the team at Loch Lomond Seaplanes, but I appreciate this isn’t always the case for women in other schools/airlines.”