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Royal Australian Air Force’s Aviation Program for Women ignites inspiration for a future career in aviation and defence.
Young women across the country were given an exciting opportunity to envision a career in defence aviation as a part of the Royal Australian Air Force’s Aviation Program for Women, at the RAAF Base in Amberley, Queensland.
As a part of the Defence Work Experience Program, 31 participants were introduced to over 50 roles in the RAAF, including in engineering, air traffic control, and potential unmanned aircraft support for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Participants were given rare opportunities to fuel and inspire future career paths, such as flying in a C-27J Spartan, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft.
Flight training simulator activities allowed participants to put themselves in the shoes of a RAAF pilot to get a better understanding of the intricacies and specifics of the role. For one participant, Brooke, 15, she said it was a valuable and exciting experience that has inspired her already.
“I’ve always wanted to be a pilot, and being able to test my skills was such a cool experience,” she said.
“When I pulled a loop in the simulator, the pilot who was training me said it was actually one of the best loops he’d ever seen. I couldn’t stop smiling. It made it feel like I could really do this.”
The program “demonstrates [the] Air Force’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce”, with activities such as unit tours, interactive and static displays, and conversations with serving RAAF personnel all aiming to spark motivation and inspiration for women who may not have otherwise had access to such experiences.
Program coordinator Flight Sergeant Melissa Krause said the confidence of the participants acts as a continued reminder of the importance of programs like these.
“These young women are smart, capable and eager,” she said.
“Watching their faces light up through each different unit as they realised there were so many different career pathways available was a reminder of the importance of investing in the next generation of women.”
