The Gender Balance

[Guest Ken deVos]

When last you hired that aircraft, did some training, or just socialised in the after-flight club, ask yourself:

 

Is aviating a gender-biased activity?

 

Figures are probably available from the RAAus membership lists, but I have never seen them published.

 

NowNO CHEATING people! This is not the time to explore your alternate self.

 

Cheers

 

Ken

 

PS: I was going to make this a thread , but then thought the moderators would have got a little too busy. Ken deVos

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Ken, I not sure if I can see what you are going with this one ?..Please enlighten me....I know the sports been short of female pilots and instructors for years. I've always done my best to attract them to our ranks !. Everybody up here knows I'll always take a young female for a fly, over a male anyday !...They always have the same enthusiasm at the start, and no doubt they've got the same skills. So where do they go ?? I would imagine you would have about the same percentage of males in quilting classes ??

 

 

[Guest Brett Campany]

I'd love to see more females getting into flying. Not only to increase the numbers of RAAus pilots but because it seems to be another male dominated sport. I've met a number of female pilots through work and flown with a few as well, some I'd say are better than the blokes for a number of reasons.

 

But how do you attract them to RAAus? How do we make it look enticing for them to come flying?

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Find lots of attractive young male instructors...that would get them doing TIFs at least!

 

 

[Simonflyer]

Dark Sarcasm..Il be instructing soon.You can let the ladies know.

 

 

[facthunter]

Attractive young male instructors.

 

They might need to teach you to fly well too, as otherwise you might not survive , and there would still be an imbalance. Seriously though, with a few outstanding exceptions, there really is a shortage of "Femmes" both as pilots and as (active)passengers in their partners aircraft.

 

If they are there, they often get over-utilised in the meal preparation and like areas. I am a little surprised how ga-ga some blokes get with a woman around an aeroplane. To comment on how well one flies is almost like a "giant" surprise. which is a put-down really. I Know Ken didn't want to get into this mire but it is relevant. We must be doing something wrong in a way. because every second person is a woman, (and the converse is true too Darky, so there is hope and don't rush it).

 

Up till recently, I used to attend the ex Broadmeadows( District Park) Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Re-union and there was a group of women Pilots, (who had to be getting on as the period we referring to is pre- early 60's) and I can assure you that they appeared to be a pretty distinct bunch, of rather unique ladies. Does it take a special kind of woman to want to fly? It was much harder back then, so those who did were pretty focussed. I don't have the answer, but I would like to see more of them flying, but not because they feel they have to prove anything but because they genuinely love the experience, and can feel part of it . Nev

 

 

[Guest Gomer]

There was a thread a while back that asked how we got into flying, and if I recall correctly, the overwhelming majority of 'old blokes' who are taking it up now have been fascinated by flight since a young age. I wonder if the imbalance is actually just a lag effect of the limited options available to women when we were younger. I mean, I was dreaming of building my own plane when I was less than 10, but back then when the girls were dreaming their dreams, they pretty much had the choice of Nurse, Teacher or Housewife. Yes, there were those who broke the mould, but they weren't exactly encouraged.

 

Of course, that doesn't account for any imbalance in the younger intake - if such an imbalance exists. I wouldn't know. I've yet to see anyone under 50 where I fly from.

 

 

[Spin]

I'd better pull on the old Nomex suit here, but I'm not sure that we can do anything much to persuade more women to take up our sport (other than perhaps legislating against them:laugh:).

 

I don't think that it is any coincidence that any mechanically based activity, particularly one that is, or is perceived to be risky, is dominated by male participants. Flying is what it is, a combined physical and mental challenge which appeals to the little boy that lurks under the surface of most men. For example my wife is keen on sport and the outdoors, including sailing which is where I met her, but although she drives well, she doesn't seem to derive any real satisfaction from the activity, it is merely a means to an end, whereas I, with approaching a million km under my belt, still get a bit of a thrill out of stringing together a nice set of corners, going over the range. Different strokes......

 

So; welcome those women who do like flying, but don't do your head in trying to get those that don't, to start.

 

 

[Powerin]

They might need to teach you to fly well too, as otherwise you might not survive , and there would still be an imbalance. Seriously though, with a few outstanding exceptions, there really is a shortage of "Femmes" both as pilots and as (active)passengers in their partners aircraft.

I'll probably sound sexist here, perhaps because I am? But I subscribe to the theory that men and women are very different beings (and I think women are the superior being :heart:). We are built differently, we think differently and our brains are wired differently.

 

In this day and age women can do any job they want to can't they? So I just wonder if the reason women aren't as involved in aviation is that a higher percentage than men just don't like flying. Just purely because women are different from men and think differently (as a general rule). So perhaps it's not because they can't, it's just because they don't want to (and the same applies to a lot of other "blokey" jobs and activities).

 

That's my politically incorrect theory anyway. Probably wrong (but my wife agrees). The girls here can feel free to shoot me down in flames .

 

Peter

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

I think it is partly different interests....I've always known that 'one day' I would get a pilot's licence (and I'm 'finally' doing it at 22). Most of my friends think it is amazingly cool but clearly wouldn't be interested in trying it themselves.

 

I also absolutely love driving and get a thrill whenever I get behind the wheel of a car, even if I'm only going to Coles, maybe there's just something about me? :big_grin:

 

If you advertised more about the shopping and men prospects associated with flying, it might actually get people in (I'm not totally joking either, the amount of my friends who've asked me how many hot young pilots I've met...)

 

And Facthunter, I do agree that the said 'attractive young male instructors' do need to be able to teach well as well, don't get me wrong (since that's the most important part of instructing!). Sometimes, though, you can end up with someone who's both

 

 

[Yenn]

I can't see us attracting women to recreational flying by our young attractive male pilots. from what I see the average RAAus flyer is at least retirement age, a lot are nearly bald and those that are not yet in the senile basket are heading that way. Of course I am the one exception to the rule, being young, virile, handsome and unbelievable.

 

 

[Tracktop]

I am the one exception to the rule, being young, virile, handsome and unbelievable.

and like they say - if it sounds too good to be true then it definitely is

 

 

[facthunter]

Mixing Business and pleasure?.

 

While it might seem like fun, there have been many instances of relationships forming with training situations. I cannot see the flying benefitting from such a set-up. There should be a respectful distance from a teacher to a pupil and no pupil should expect any special treatment thay is not available to any other.

 

How could your instructor give you a well deserved admonition (hypotherically) for some poor performance, if something extra is going on?. Believe me, I have seen this sort of thing and it is not a good idea. Keep you passion for flying and your heavy breathing separate.

 

Good GEN, (an old term) and NO resentment is what you need from your instructor.and he still could be the best thing for you, even if he is as ugly as sin, over 40, and slightly scares you with his firm approach to doing it the right way. The instructor He/She, has to be IN COMMAND.

 

Note; Most instructor training manuals warn against forming too close an association with the pupil to instructor reliationship. I have been a professional secondary teacher in the past, and the same applies. You can be their close friend or their instructor, but not both at the same time. and never show favouritism. When the situation is over and the training is completed , then there is no need for this to apply. Nev.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

While it might seem like fun, there have been many instances of relationships forming with training situations. I cannot see the flying benefitting from such a set-up. There should be a respectful distance from a teacher to a pupil and no pupil should expect any special treatment thay is not available to any other.How could your instructor give you a well deserved admonition (hypotherically) for some poor performance, if something extra is going on?. Believe me, I have seen this sort of thing and it is not a good idea. Keep you passion for flying and your heavy breathing separate.

Good GEN, (an old term) and NO resentment is what you need from your instructor.and he still could be the best thing for you, even if he is as ugly as sin, over 40, and slightly scares you with his firm approach to doing it the right way. The instructor He/She, has to be IN COMMAND.

 

Note; Most instructor training manuals warn against forming too close an association with the pupil to instructor reliationship. I have been a professional secondary teacher in the past, and the same applies. You can be their close friend or their instructor, but not both at the same time. and never show favouritism. When the situation is over and the training is completed , then there is no need for this to apply. Nev.

I'd just like to point out that, in my previous posts, I was not suggesting anything like this. I agree with what Nev has said and am not suggesting that this kind of relationship should form. I'm just saying that enjoying the view can't totally be a bad thing sometimes...

 

In all seriousness, I wasn't suggesting anything like this and hope that nobody thought I meant it this way

 

 

[Tomo]

I can't see us attracting women to recreational flying by our young attractive male pilots. from what I see the average RAAus flyer is at least retirement age, a lot are nearly bald and those that are not yet in the senile basket are heading that way. Of course I am the one exception to the rule, being young, virile, handsome and unbelievable.

Well I've got the youngness... That's about it though?!:rolleyes1:

 

I know a half dozen or so youngish females that are pretty keen on the flying thing!

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

I know a half dozen or so youngish females that are pretty keen on the flying thing!

Maybe it's because of you Tomo ;) Perhaps you should take them up for a flight in your Drifter... :big_grin:

 

 

[Spin]

Never mind Darky, I think most of realised your tongue was firmly lodged in your cheek!

 

 

[Tomo]

Well that's gonna happen don't you worry Darky:thumb_up:

 

And yeah... I do tend to have an influence on people!:big_grin:

 

Do you want a ride in a Drifter?;)

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Never mind Darky, I think most of realised your tongue was firmly lodged in your cheek!

Cheers Spin. Just wanted to make sure :)

 

Do you want a ride in a Drifter?;)

If I ever go to QLD, I might take you up on it ;)

 

 

[facthunter]

Application.

 

Dark's the comments are general, but I do mean them to be taken on board by all in a training situation. You might see this fellow as Captain Marvel(lous). Jesting...If you fall in love with him,You will at least have that in common.(another pilot joke) Nev

 

 

[Tomo]

If I ever go to QLD, I might take you up on it ;)

Either that or a Jab!:thumb_up:

 

Gee... options galore:laugh:

 

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Either that or a Jab!:thumb_up:

I'd go with the Drifter, be an interesting change (although I'd probably spend the time thinking it's awfully slow after the Jab :big_grin:)

 

 

[Tomo]

(although I'd probably spend the time thinking it's awfully slow after the Jab :big_grin:)

There's ways and means of fixing that!

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

There's ways and means of fixing that!

Yes, but will the wings stay on after that or are we going to fall out of the sky (but really fast)?

 

 

[Tomo]

Yes, but will the wings stay on after that or are we going to fall out of the sky (but really fast)?

Oh yes! you just can do things in a Drifter that is more exciting than in a Jab, sometimes, though just not with speed! They are truly a fun machine!:thumb_up: