According to new data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), more women are now flying aeroplanes, helicopters and other forms of aircraft than ever before.
With still only approximately 6% of pilots worldwide being women, there has been a 26% increase in the number of female pilots being issued licences from the UK regulator.
However, the CAA says there remains a significant gap between the numbers of male and female pilots getting licenced in the UK.
The news comes after a Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (WiAAC) panel discussion was held at the Farnborough International Airshow, during which the UK CAA’s chair and patron of the charter, Sir Stephen Hillier, highlighted the overall post-pandemic recovery in the number of licences issued.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority data showed that in 2019, the number of female pilot licenses issued was 239, but this increased to 301 in 2023. This compares to 3,267 issued in 2019 and 3,752 in 2023 – only a 15% increase.
Sharon Nicholson, chairwoman of the British Women Pilots’ Association and UK Airprox Board Inspector at the UK CAA, said: “As a pilot, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the rise in female pilots over the years, the change in the industry makes it more accessible for young women.
“I actively encourage young females to consider flying as a career choice and it’s empowering to see so many unlocking the incredible possibilities of the aviation industry.”
Bronwyn Fraser, secretary of the British Women Pilots’ Association and Sustainability Principal at the UK CAA, said: “Women pilots bring diverse perspectives and exceptional skills.
“But aviation is so much more than just flying. We have brilliant women engineers, air traffic controllers, and sustainability experts pushing the boundaries of innovation, developing new technologies and unlocking the full potential of our airspace.
“We need more young women in aviation and must inspire the next generation to take flight and build an inclusive future for aviation.”
Most licences issued to female pilots were for aeroplanes – both commercial and general aviation – with 270 licences issued in 2023, compared to 202 in 2019, marking a 34% increase in aeroplane licences issued to women.
The CAA says there has also been a 43% increase in commercial licences issued to women, compared to 31% for men. For private licences issued, there has been an 11% increase for women, whereas there has been a 1% decrease for men.
Helicopter licences (25 issued in 2023) were the second most common licences issued by the regulator, with balloon pilot licences the third most common (3). Other pilot licences issued include Gyroplanes and Sailplanes.
The regulator says the increase in the number of licences issued also signals a recovery following a drop in the number of licence applications during the COVID-19 period (2020-2021).
The UK CAA says it continues to support increasing the numbers of women in aviation and aerospace, particularly through its STEM programme. The regulator supports several initiatives to encourage girls to gain the skills they need to pursue careers in the industry including, The Girls Network, STEMettes and Tech She Can.
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