Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), a company of Royal HaskoningDHV, in association with Women in Aviation ERAU-Worldwide Chapter, hosts Girls in Aviation Day 2022 in South Africa. This follows the successful inaugural event in 2019 and the second edition in 2021, which was fully online due to pandemic-related restrictions. The NACO-developed training programme is offered for free to girls aged 10 to 12, to introduce them to the possibilities available in a career in aviation.
“We want to see girls interacting with positive role models and considering aviation as they make their university and career plans. These outreach events are designed to inspire the next generation of women in aviation,” says organiser Renee Smith, an Airport Designer at NACO and alumnus of McAuley House School.
The Programme Outline
The programme consists of a series of training sessions on topics including the different aircraft types, sustainable aviation futures and 3D design using TinkerCAD, a free online 3D modeling programme. This will be followed by the Fireblade High Tea on 17th of September, 2022.
The learners who were part of #GIAD19 will visit the Fireblade Aviation Fixed Based Operator (FBO) facility in Johannesburg. Here the students will enjoy a tour of the facility as well as network with collaborators to learn more about Aviation and the people who work in the industry.
It culminates in an Aviation Fun Day on 24 September 2022 at McAuley House School in Johannesburg, where more than 120 learners, along with their parents, will join Women in Aviation International chapters from around the world.
A Career in Aviation
“We want our local girls to see that there are exciting careers available to them as engineers, aircraft maintenance technicians, pilots, dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and dozens of other jobs within the aviation added Smith. “We have partnered with some of the most renowned names in the industry to introduce the girls to role models and educate them within a fun and supportive atmosphere.”
Chapters all over the world are putting on their own, unique programmes. This is the third edition of the Girls in Aviation Day South Africa programme and it continues to attract more collaborators. This year’s edition is supported by NACO, Fireblade Aviation, Embraer, Airlink, Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS), Fastjet/Federal Airlines, Brigther Futures and Creative Rabbit.
