Girl Scouts from across Southwest Florida climbed into airplane cockpits, learned aircraft marshaling signals, and met female pilots and paramedics at Girls in Aviation Day at Naples Airport on Sept. 26. The hands-on morning introduced girls and young women to careers in aviation.
The Naples Airport Authority and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida teamed up on the event. Scouts asked questions, talked directly with aviation professionals, and saw parts of flying and airport operations that most people only see from a distance.
“We’re so happy to be able to localize [Girls in Aviation Day] here at the Naples Airport and hopefully encourage and inspire some of these girls and young women about careers in aviation,” said Brad Fagan, director of community relations for Naples Airport Authority.
Girl Scouts and scout leaders join pilots and presenters during Naples Airport’s Girls in Aviation Day event
Aviation careers beyond the cockpit
Women in Aviation International launched Girls in Aviation Day in 2015 as a global initiative to introduce young people to aviation. Today the day is celebrated around the world, connecting girls with women already working in the industry.
Career paths highlighted through the initiative include:
- Pilots
- Air traffic controllers
- Avionics technicians
- Aerospace engineers
- Aircraft mechanics
- Safety officers
A local pilot passes it on
“I was told I could not be a pilot,” said Cristina Jones, a pilot based out of Naples Airport. “I learned to fly when I was 42. I fly for fun. I’m very grateful I found aviation, and I have the means to keep doing it. I want to pass it on because there were women along the road who helped me keep flying. I just want to pass it on.”
For local families, Girls in Aviation Day showed that a career in aviation is a realistic goal for girls. Southwest Florida girls are exploring STEM and leadership in other ways, too, from Immokalee High School’s all-girls VEX robotics team to WellFit Girls. Parents weighing activities can also read about the benefits of scouting.
Naples Airport is operated by the Naples Airport Authority, an independent government agency that receives no local tax dollars. The airport also houses public services including Collier County EMS MedFlight and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Learn more at FlyNaples.com.