Kenya Airways first female captain!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: YSSY
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kenya Airways first female captain!
Article on allAfrica.com
Great article on KQ's first female captain, her first command flight had an all female crew. KQ's first female pilot, before command on the 737, she was a first officer on the 767. Also interesting to note her father(Capt J.Mutungi) is a retired KQ chief pilot.
Great article on KQ's first female captain, her first command flight had an all female crew. KQ's first female pilot, before command on the 737, she was a first officer on the 767. Also interesting to note her father(Capt J.Mutungi) is a retired KQ chief pilot.
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: NY
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Protest.
As a mark of protest, in honour of the Inaugeration of the 43rd President of the United States and in support of racial and sexual harmony I have removed my posting from this forum.
It seems that everyone, including the moderators, have entirely lost their sense of humour, have forgotten what "Tongue in cheek" means and have gone so PC that this forum SUX !!
Have a nice life!
It seems that everyone, including the moderators, have entirely lost their sense of humour, have forgotten what "Tongue in cheek" means and have gone so PC that this forum SUX !!
Have a nice life!
Last edited by MercenaryAli; 20th Jan 2005 at 17:07.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
A prime piece of reporting 
Capt Mutungi, who only recently turned 30, took charge of a symbolic all-female crew consisting of a First Officer, Flight Engineer (
on a 737??? ), Flight Purser and Flight Attendants on her inaugural flight.
Captain Mutungi's all lady crew were full of accolade and admiration heralding her accomplishment as emblematic to all women in the industry and even those aspiring.
Kenya Airways' head of the Boeing 737 fleet, Capt Peter Marang'a explained her upward path. "Her movement to a command position on the Boeing 737-300 has followed the normal pilot seniority system in Kenya Airways."
A graduate of both the Kenya School of Flying and Oklahoma City Flight School, Captain Mutungi has risen steadily through the ranks, having previously been the First Officer of the 767-300 ER, the second largest aircraft in the Kenya Airways fleet.
The first Kenya Airways woman captain of a Boeing 767-300
, Irene Mutungi, communicates to passengers on board the special all ladies flight to mark her promotion.
Capt Mutungi, who only recently turned 30, took charge of a symbolic all-female crew consisting of a First Officer, Flight Engineer (
on a 737??? ), Flight Purser and Flight Attendants on her inaugural flight.Captain Mutungi's all lady crew were full of accolade and admiration heralding her accomplishment as emblematic to all women in the industry and even those aspiring.
Kenya Airways' head of the Boeing 737 fleet, Capt Peter Marang'a explained her upward path. "Her movement to a command position on the Boeing 737-300 has followed the normal pilot seniority system in Kenya Airways."
A graduate of both the Kenya School of Flying and Oklahoma City Flight School, Captain Mutungi has risen steadily through the ranks, having previously been the First Officer of the 767-300 ER, the second largest aircraft in the Kenya Airways fleet.
The first Kenya Airways woman captain of a Boeing 767-300
, Irene Mutungi, communicates to passengers on board the special all ladies flight to mark her promotion.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercenary Ali,- You are totally out of line and reveal some deep seated and very unfair prejudices. She has risen through the seniority system and got where she is despite rather than because of KQs internal politics. Her father left them, not altogether willingly , more than a year ago and if connections were the issue she would have been disadvantaged rather than advantaged by his departure.
KQ may well be based in a 3rd world country but it has since privatisation been an international rather than purely national business. BAs consultancy arm, Speedwing, was heavily involved in the privatisation and immediately post privatisation era and it has a substantial KLM shareholding ( but very little day to day involvement). Its punctuality record is one of the worlds best and it flies a modern well maintained fleet crewed by thoroughly competant pilots and friendly cabin crews. They are therefore both a safe and an enjoyable choice over many of their more formal and less customer orientated overseas competitors. Furthermore their lady pilots arent campaigning for the right to work when they want , how they want.
Time to put away the prejudices.
KQ may well be based in a 3rd world country but it has since privatisation been an international rather than purely national business. BAs consultancy arm, Speedwing, was heavily involved in the privatisation and immediately post privatisation era and it has a substantial KLM shareholding ( but very little day to day involvement). Its punctuality record is one of the worlds best and it flies a modern well maintained fleet crewed by thoroughly competant pilots and friendly cabin crews. They are therefore both a safe and an enjoyable choice over many of their more formal and less customer orientated overseas competitors. Furthermore their lady pilots arent campaigning for the right to work when they want , how they want.
Time to put away the prejudices.
Last edited by Skylion; 16th Jan 2005 at 14:54.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So what's the big deal? Emily Njovani in Air Zimbabwe started off as flight attendent, became a FO on 737s in about late 80s, then FO 767s early 90s and is now TRE 767s - the position she holds today.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Way up north
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could it be that this very gal learned about flying from her pilot father?
Escaping from what most females are taught – better stick to the kitchen.
Any of you really believe that he could've pushed a "babe" through the works?
Why can't macho-pilots accept the fact that females also can make the grades?
You think that any airline will permit "incompetent" pilots flying the line?
Female pilots are known to be more careful than men, so what's the "problem"?
This gal has obviously negotiated a few obstacles to get to where she is now.
Yikes – take us on any day and we'll fly circles around you and shoot you down!
Yawwn. This has been proved looong ago. So let us in, for heavens sake!
Escaping from what most females are taught – better stick to the kitchen.
Any of you really believe that he could've pushed a "babe" through the works?
Why can't macho-pilots accept the fact that females also can make the grades?
You think that any airline will permit "incompetent" pilots flying the line?
Female pilots are known to be more careful than men, so what's the "problem"?
This gal has obviously negotiated a few obstacles to get to where she is now.
Yikes – take us on any day and we'll fly circles around you and shoot you down!
Yawwn. This has been proved looong ago. So let us in, for heavens sake!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ON the bridge linking Wonderland and Hell
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hate the game not the player
I read about Capt. Mutungi being the first KQ female pilot just after I finished Highschool in Kenyaand needless to say, based on the High school she went to, she had to be smart. Kenya Airways is definitely handling it's business and I'm very happy to see that they are certainly giving the ladies fare share of the pie.
Keep up the good work.
The bitter rejects here should swallow the red pill.
Keep up the good work.
The bitter rejects here should swallow the red pill.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Kenya
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Article from KQ inhouse magazine that a friend sent to me:
As the world observed Fools’ Day in 1996, Irene Mutungi made a clever move and joined Kenya Airways as a co-pilot on the Fokker 50. She then surely and steadily rose through the ranks and has now checked out as a captain on the B737-300.
To mark her promotion as the first Lady Captain, Irene commanded KQ 410/411 from Nairobi to Entebbe on the 5fth of January 2005 on an All Ladies Flight.
The others with her were First Officer Betty Wakhungu in the cockpit, Flight Purser Eugenie Dadet, In-Flight Attendants Dorcas Thuo, Nerreall Yongo, Damaris Mwangi and Kelvyne Karuri.
Born on 24th November 1974, Irene attended Loreto Convent before joining Kenya School of Flying for her initial training in Aviation Technology. With this foundation there was no looking back for Irene and everything went like clockwork .She thereafter went to Crabfree, Oklahoma City in the USA.
On 1st April in 1996 she joined Kenya Airways as a co-pilot on the Fokker 50. Two years later she was promoted to First Officer on Boeing 737-300 after training in Seattle, USA. Another promotion came her way in 2000 as a First Officer on the Boeing 767 after training in Melbourne, Australia. In August 2004 Irene took command position on Boeing 737-300. She then undertook training in Gatwick, London and checked out as a Captain on the Boeing 737-300 on 9th November 2004. Consequently, she has become a member of the International Airline Women Association and is due to receive recognition from the organization in May this year as an Airline Woman Aircraft Commander.
Irene’s steady climb to a command position on the Boeing 737-300 has been charted on the normal Pilot Seniority at Kenya Airways.
In normal flight operations Irene is treated just like any other of the many captains at the company. She flies with anyone and gender is not an issue at all.
“In total, the airline has five qualified lady pilots and several are still in training,” Says Fleet Manager B737 Capt. Peter Maranga. “Presently, Irene happens to be the first to check out as a commander. Her seniority is based on the date of entry into the airline and in due course there will be quite a number attaining the status of Lady Captains.”
I have two pictures of the flight but I donn't know how to post them here...anybody know?
Kaptin M - KQ carry an Engineer on most of their flights to supervise fuelling, carry out minor repairs etc as some of the places they fly to, you would be in luck to find a Boeing MX facility!
As the world observed Fools’ Day in 1996, Irene Mutungi made a clever move and joined Kenya Airways as a co-pilot on the Fokker 50. She then surely and steadily rose through the ranks and has now checked out as a captain on the B737-300.
To mark her promotion as the first Lady Captain, Irene commanded KQ 410/411 from Nairobi to Entebbe on the 5fth of January 2005 on an All Ladies Flight.
The others with her were First Officer Betty Wakhungu in the cockpit, Flight Purser Eugenie Dadet, In-Flight Attendants Dorcas Thuo, Nerreall Yongo, Damaris Mwangi and Kelvyne Karuri.
Born on 24th November 1974, Irene attended Loreto Convent before joining Kenya School of Flying for her initial training in Aviation Technology. With this foundation there was no looking back for Irene and everything went like clockwork .She thereafter went to Crabfree, Oklahoma City in the USA.
On 1st April in 1996 she joined Kenya Airways as a co-pilot on the Fokker 50. Two years later she was promoted to First Officer on Boeing 737-300 after training in Seattle, USA. Another promotion came her way in 2000 as a First Officer on the Boeing 767 after training in Melbourne, Australia. In August 2004 Irene took command position on Boeing 737-300. She then undertook training in Gatwick, London and checked out as a Captain on the Boeing 737-300 on 9th November 2004. Consequently, she has become a member of the International Airline Women Association and is due to receive recognition from the organization in May this year as an Airline Woman Aircraft Commander.
Irene’s steady climb to a command position on the Boeing 737-300 has been charted on the normal Pilot Seniority at Kenya Airways.
In normal flight operations Irene is treated just like any other of the many captains at the company. She flies with anyone and gender is not an issue at all.
“In total, the airline has five qualified lady pilots and several are still in training,” Says Fleet Manager B737 Capt. Peter Maranga. “Presently, Irene happens to be the first to check out as a commander. Her seniority is based on the date of entry into the airline and in due course there will be quite a number attaining the status of Lady Captains.”
I have two pictures of the flight but I donn't know how to post them here...anybody know?
Kaptin M - KQ carry an Engineer on most of their flights to supervise fuelling, carry out minor repairs etc as some of the places they fly to, you would be in luck to find a Boeing MX facility!
Last edited by Spydee; 20th Jan 2005 at 07:23.
There have been women flying airplanes almost as long as airplanes have been around. If they are not represented in significant numbers, it has nothing to do with innate intellect/ability but rather overpowering social forces that prevent their ability to compete in this profession.
In the US, the WAASP organization from WW2 is a classic example. These women flew the same airplanes as the men but after the war found little or no opportunity to fly professionally. They had proven themselves in an airplane but society offered them no way to compete for jobs. No, they didn't fly in combat, but that's not what we're discussing here. We're talking about getting from Point A to Point B....like what YOU do.
I'm not the champion of any cause but only recognize that no case can be made against women pilots in professional aviation.
In the US, the WAASP organization from WW2 is a classic example. These women flew the same airplanes as the men but after the war found little or no opportunity to fly professionally. They had proven themselves in an airplane but society offered them no way to compete for jobs. No, they didn't fly in combat, but that's not what we're discussing here. We're talking about getting from Point A to Point B....like what YOU do.
I'm not the champion of any cause but only recognize that no case can be made against women pilots in professional aviation.
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: NY
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
. . . . except that. . .
Quote:
I'm not the champion of any cause but only recognize that no case can be made against women pilots in professional aviation
_________________________________________
. . except that they cannot expect to be treated any differently than anyone else; no special priveleges, no special deals, no special 50% only rosters so they can raise their offspring!!. .
Oh! And I too have had the pleasure to fly with at least 3 wonderful lady pilots and hey! I would rather have a pretty looking gal next to me than some sweaty fat bloke!!!
I'm not the champion of any cause but only recognize that no case can be made against women pilots in professional aviation
_________________________________________
. . except that they cannot expect to be treated any differently than anyone else; no special priveleges, no special deals, no special 50% only rosters so they can raise their offspring!!. .
Oh! And I too have had the pleasure to fly with at least 3 wonderful lady pilots and hey! I would rather have a pretty looking gal next to me than some sweaty fat bloke!!!
Mercenary: I've also flown with several lady pilots (one Captain and the rest FOs), who, except for looks, better 'aftershave lotion' etc, are no different in their jobs as pilots. Some who have long legs remind me of just why I like women in a uniform...oh well. My company hired ladies who have the same amount of flying hours as the guys. Fortunately the company wanted the same sort of mixed flying backgrounds as with the other pilots: they wanted an aggressive career, whereby the pilots flew at least two or three high-performance turbine machines, instead of just a B-1900, ATR or a C-141 etc. But solid experience reportedly was not always the case at another US airlines years ago, due to court sanctioned quotas- or maybe the fear of them.
It is well known in the industry, and in a way, I could feel sorry for some of those pilots, who due to very little experience, had major handicaps to overcome-but the pilots applied for the jobs. Some probably did really well. Much more experienced pilots, even some ladies, were excluded from being accepted. A different possible problem reportedly involved other people who were allowed to conduct interviews (chat with a psychiatrist...), which had nothing to do with aviation, or even why the applicant wanted to spend a career there. Various (possibly political)agendas were at work. Overall, certain methods to either comply with, or avoid government-imposed quotas, created much of the controversy that still exists, several years later, in the US industry.
It is well known in the industry, and in a way, I could feel sorry for some of those pilots, who due to very little experience, had major handicaps to overcome-but the pilots applied for the jobs. Some probably did really well. Much more experienced pilots, even some ladies, were excluded from being accepted. A different possible problem reportedly involved other people who were allowed to conduct interviews (chat with a psychiatrist...), which had nothing to do with aviation, or even why the applicant wanted to spend a career there. Various (possibly political)agendas were at work. Overall, certain methods to either comply with, or avoid government-imposed quotas, created much of the controversy that still exists, several years later, in the US industry.
