Celebrating women in aviation

THE largest gathering of female pilots in Europe was held in Henley.

Women in Aviation took place at The Wing, luxury watchmaker Bremont’s manufacturing and technology centre off Reading Road.

About 60 women attended the event, which celebrated women in the aviation sector, who make up less than five per cent of the total workforce.

They included private and commercial pilots, engineers RAF personnel and wing walkers.

Katherine Moloney, who hosted the event, said: “Women in aviation are spread throughout the UK and it can feel lonely at times, so it is comforting to come together and find your people. I wanted people who have just started their career and others who have experience to connect and share experiences and advice.

“We want to send a message to young girls that they can get into aviation. We still have a long way to go but we seeing a real tide change in aviation and I believe it is going in a positive direction.”

The keynote speaker was Mandy Hickson who spoke about her 30 years’ experience and her determination to break gender stereotypes in flying.

She said: “Everything came together for me as soon as I was airborne, nothing could now stand in my way. I never realised how few women were in the industry before me.”

She has written a book, An Officer. Not a Gentleman, about her flying career.

The event will be held annually in future.