"Woman" Pilots Association. What's the point???
 

I have recently been dicussing the WPA with some collegues of mine at work. One of them a female, who expressed to me how she thought that there was nothing wrong with the WPA, but the fact that people think there is a need for such an organisation is insulting to women. "Self insulting", is a term she used to describe the WPA. She also said that she feels like she has some kind of dissability that needs special attention, ie. being a "Woman Pilot". After all, you only need two arms, two legs and a head. A penis is not specified as mandatory. She also asked why there isn't a "Man Pilots Association".

Now, I don't have any idea what the WPA actually does or even stands for, but I could see her point. Any WPA members care to comment and/or shed some light?

Thanks in advance...H. :cool:

[ 03 December 2001: Message edited by: Highbypass ]

I'm not a member but I gave an informal talk to the local AWPA not long ago. They are nice ladies of all ages and experience levels, on that occasion ranging from sutdent pilots looking forward to first solo to PPL, charter and mustering pilots, who like to get together and talk about flying. Some of them with very interesting stories to tell, all of them very friendly. I had a very enjoyable evening and keep meaning to join!

Agree that there is no NEED for an association that represents women pilots any more than there should be need for a blue eyed pilots association or a six-foot-two pilots association.

I don't think "need" is what these ladies are about, they are an association of people with something in common who like to get together now and then and share experiences, like many other groups. No harm in that, good on'em!

[ 03 December 2001: Message edited by: Charlie Foxtrot India ]

C.F.I. Thanks heaps for your enlightning reply. Actually, your first paragraph makes me feel a little jealous. I wish I had a group of friends to go to and have a good yarn about flying experiences without being judged. Actually, being a bloke in aviation can be a little difficult at times. There are just so many macho w@nkers with the most anoying elitest attitude.

Hey, do you think I could join the WPA? I'm serious!!! I really think I'd enjoy it. My wife would probably like to come with me for once. She normally can't stand the people i'm forced to work and associate with. :)

Hi Hybypass,

I'm going to preface this by saying that the following is just my humble opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of other AWPA members.

At the time the Association was formed it was somewhat more important for women to build bridges and to have some control over something that was "theirs". If you do some research it's not hard to find reasons for the Association's existence. I think your colleague is right, however, in that there probably isn't so much a NEED these days to have a "special" women's association, as "it's still there, still having fun and still going strong".

The Association I've come to know these days is a bunch of fantastic people who get together, learn stuff from each other and generally have a good time, and there are in fact a couple of guys who regularly turn up to events (and not just because they're outnumbered and consequently the odds are better... :D ). My personal opinion is that it is time that it was a bit more encompassing, but again, that's my PERSONAL opinion.

I've had fun, met great people whom I might not otherwise have met and learned all sorts of useful stuff. And I think "the point" is that it's great to have opportunities to do that under whatever positive, flying affirming, banner. :)

Highbypass

As has already been said, the Australian Women Pilots Association has a wide range of members. It is not a professional pilots' association, but it does offer support and encouragement to women who want to fly.

It offers scholarships for various training goals, and one of the nicest aspects is the "Referesher Courses" held in NSW - not sure if it happens in other states. Women who haven't flown for a while for various reasons are given dual instruction by a suitably qualifed member of the association, usually at reduced cost. It's a way of regaining currency and confidence in a non-threatening environment - not that I've found most male instructors threatening :D

Interesting points about not being judged, and being in a non-threatening environment.
Reckon this sums up much of the camaraderie you get whenever a bunch of us girls get together for whatever reason, that makes the fun of a girls night out, a long yak on the phone and all those cups of tea a mystery to many blokes!

And SO nice not to be patronised and patted on the head with the "You've done well...for a girl" routine.

Don't see why women should have to justify it myself. Anybody who needs to be told why it was set up in the first place is being disingenuous at the very least, and for a woman to suggest that it should no longer exist because the concept is "self-insulting" indicates she should loosen the reins on her insecurity and 70's dogma.

Go for it ladies, we guys have more than our share of male only institutions, and we don't feel the need to question why we "need" them.

;)

Good to see some positive discussion here. I have had the same question thrown at me by a fellow woman pilot who could not see the need and felt it was discriminatory.

IMHO, and personally, it is a place where you can share the relaxed cameraderie of aviators without having the guys take over or strut their peacock feathers!

Most nominally joint organisations end up being run by men and consequently largely for men, and the women end up "bringing a plate"! Believe it or not we are wired a bit differently and I enjoy being to share experiences and goof off with other women.

Conversely I find the idea of aviation colleges having separate competions for men and women ridiculous, as in this area where physical strength is not a factor we can compete equally. (Maybe it's to save face for the chaps?) For colleges to name best female and best male student is just silly.

Is Beth Garrett still with the AWPA? Top bird! Met her once in CNS when she was flying Queenairs.

BTW CFI who was that Sugar Bird Lady whos Mooney is perched there at JKT?

Their a great mob !

As a bloke, I have tagged along to a number of their functions and meetings etc over the years and the husbands and boyfriends usually have a ball as well. (Sometimes in another bar down the road!!!) Sometimes we even get roped in to change a sparkplug or sort out something techo and get our hands dirty. Yes there is some chivalry left about.

As said above, the camaraderie is great. With the demise of many of the great aero clubs there is not many places where you can share experiences and tell a few stories these days. I sometimes think the young folk in this business are missing out on something great. If you haven't been there, you don't know what you have missed!

They also do a lot for flying and aviation, scholarships for various flying courses and running the very popular and successful 'fear of flying clinics'. The Association goes back a way and is certainly one of the traditions of Oz aviation. In the USA they have a similar association called the "ninety-nines" because at their first meeting there were 99 attendees. They have branches in many countries including Australia and do much the same as AWPA.


good on 'em

Slasher

The "sugar bird lady" was Robin (or Robyn) Miller - the daughter of Horrie Miller, who started MMA.

I am sure others with more info than me can elaborate on her story in the west.

She is indeed from a well respected family.

Was not the "sugar bird lady" also a nurse? and got her name from giving out vacinations at remote aboriginal communities ( polio vacinations that came on sugar lumps hence the name) she may have been connected with The R.F.D.S. She used to fly that plane on a stick at JKT
As to the Womens Pilot Organisation It Is always great to find like minded people who share your enthusiasums and problems

Its like being a member of a vintage car club or a book club etc.

There was a need for it back in the bad old days when women needed to help each other out but now whilest the NEED might not be there Its maintaining a tradition and long may it continue.

Mrs Wheelbarrow (an innocent bystander) :) :) :)

Oleo, (or anyone else)

Did I understand your post correctly? Are there really competitions that exist that segregate the best female and best male pilots? If so, your point about strength not being a factor really holds water. It even pi55e5 me off when I see people like Karrie Webb compared with Tiger Woods in sports like golf. She, and allot of her collegues, are excellent players, but she only wins a fraction of what an equal male player does. Now, I know that golf might involve some physical advantage (I don't play), but flying???..........H
:confused:

[ 04 December 2001: Message edited by: Highbypass ]

Nothing wrong with having organisations like the WPA, even though it has its fair share of jokes blown its way, its just another way to meet like minded people and have a good time.

The mooney on the stick at JT, is not actualy the aircraft used by Robyn Miller-Dicks, it is the same model which was aquired and painted up to repersent the acft that she flew around WA. Yes she was the Sugar Bird Lady and there are excelent books on her life and times. Her daughter is also an excelent aviator who flies all round the country.

I have many friends who are members and know of many a young female pilot who has been awarded scholarships to continue their flying and gain qualifications.

Good on you all and all the best for the DPA.

A couple of years ago while deciding where they would have their AGM, Bankstown was discarded as an option as it was, 'too difficult for some of the members to fly into'.

Impressive stuff ladies!

Thanks for your contribution, Messiah

That rather sums up why the Association still exists!

Flying into a busy GAAP is probably quite stressful for a PPL who only flies for fun from a quiet rural airport. AWPA members don't think any less of each other for staying within personal limitations.

May be that's a girl thing :D

I can think of a few blokes who would have difficulty flying into Bankstown...they have enough trouble in CTAFs.

RV6,
Is the girl thing why the female QF captain went around at BKK immediately before her male counterpart on QF1 didn't, and crashed? ;)

BTW, I can think of a heavy jet male copilot who reckons he couldn't negotiate a GAAP.

I'd add that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that aviation in general is one of the 'traditionally' male-dominated fields, for no good reason that I can see.

Another excellent reason for the WPA to exist is to help break down barriers by encouraging and aiding young women to get into flying.

If the AWPA was fair dinkum, they would see that their members were shown the correct procedures.

It's only a GAAP for god sake. People do their first solo's there.

Is the mentality to ignore your weak areas and hope they will one day go away?

A PPL is a licence to fly anywhere is'nt it???? Perhaps not.