So wonderful to work with fellow Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador Suzy Morgan this morning. Her talk inspired her audience of first year BSc Air Transport Management students and focused on her career at British Airways and the importance of developing communication skills in our industry. Thank you very much Suzy - it was a pleasure!
Thank you John Gibson for inspiring students at Birchwood School Careers Fair.
Education truly is the key to unlocking children’s potential. What a pleasure and a privilege to introduce children in Sri Lanka to the world of aviation. We very much believe that all children can have an impact on their communities and aspire to more than they thought was possible. It’s a great start to supporting some of the most rural communities to have access to knowledge and the networks they need to learn about our industry - and in turn improve their life chances.
It was wonderful to support University of West London Open Day this weekend speaking to students and families about routes into becoming a pilot.
It was a pleasure to join International Air Transport Association (IATA) members today at the Quarterly Diversity and Inclusion meeting discussing the impact of the 25by2025 agenda. We look forward to working with more organisations internationally to promote STEM Outreach and discuss how there can be gender balance in senior leadership positions within the industry.
It was an honour to receive a Framed Address from The Air League this week for the work of our project inspiring young people and supporting women and girls to consider aviation careers. I was an Air League scholar a few years ago and this was instrumental in the progress I have made within aviation.
I was fortunate to meet some truly remarkable people in our industry and to discuss ways we can continue to collaborate. A tri-service rotary flypast from the Army Air Corps, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy also took place over the Palace of Westminster Terrace.
My thanks to the Air League and partners for a wonderful event and Aviation Minister Robert Courts MP for presenting my award.
Click here to read more : https://bit.ly/2022_awards
What an honour and a privilege to receive the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Diversity and Inclusion 2022 High Flyer Award for our work at the AGM in Doha today.
Growing up in Sri Lanka dreaming of flying the oceans I could not have imagined receiving this award and speaking to leaders from the aviation industry. That’s the power of role models and collaboration. We know great strides can be made when we work together for a common cause. And I’ve seen first hand how our inspirational role models can influence the next generation to aspire to be the best they can. This is how we move from representation to transformational change. Our Directors and supporters of this entirely volunteer run organisation has achieved great things so far and made such progress in this arena.
Amelia Earhart once said that if we have a great runway we must take off. And if not it is our responsibility to build one for ourselves and those that follow in our footsteps. I’ve tried to live by this principle.
All my gratitude to IATA and Qatar Airways for their generosity and commitment to Diversity & Inclusion. And to all the aviation leaders today for giving me a seat at your table and a voice with this award.
It's great to work with Aviation Skills Retention Platform and Talentview Aviation to promote career entry routes in aviation.
Read more here: http://ow.ly/Wip150JjLfS
Recently the Department for Transport announced a new strategy for the aviation sector, Flightpath to the Future. The strategy, which builds on the Aviation 2050 consultation from 2018, sets out a ten-point plan for the future of aviation formed around four key themes: enhancing global impact for a sustainable recovery from COVID-19, embracing innovation for a sustainable future, realising benefits for the UK and delivering for end users.
It’s wonderful to see that there are clear strategies - and a strong commitment to ensuring diversity within the industry. It’s been a pleasure to be involved as an Aviation Ambassador this year and for our stories to be featured.
It was a privilege to speak at the Empowering Women in Aviation event hosted by The Air League at The House Of Commons
Role models have always been an integral part of our work. I’ve seen first hand the impact they have and it’s life changing. But they can’t work in isolation - nor can it be a token gesture. We can no longer ignore the intersectionality of everyone’s unique experiences.
Collaboration is absolutely key to making lasting change and ensuring that we create a pipeline of diverse talent into the industry. The event was a wonderful example of how we can work together to move from representation to transformational change.
Sofia, a student at the University of West London studying BSc Airline and Air Transport Management, was delighted to hear that she has been selected for a taster flight. We were very impressed with your application and happy flying Sofia!
‘I just want to say a few words out of excitement and gratitude toward you and the Aviatrix project.
Firstly, thank you so much for considering my application and choosing me for the taster flight at Flying Made Easy -this means the world to me. It really touched my heart and I do appreciate it immensely. It is an amazing opportunity and I imagine how difficult it's been for you to choose between all reasonable and motivational applications, and me being among the winners is just unbelievable. I just cried out of happiness seeing it. The act of generosity and kindness just leaves me so impressed.
I admire your encouragement, inspiration, and enthusiasm to contribute to the industry, spreading out the change and trying to include all who wish to experience some aviation. I am really glad to know you and be part of the initiatives you create. Thanks again, to you, the Aviatrix project, Flying Made easy and all others who contributed to this generous opportunity, which makes dreams true, and people happier.’
uch a fantastic day at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar at London Biggin Hill Airport, supporting a great cause with fellow Department for Transport Aviation Ambassadors. The Armchair Airshow raises funds for Aerobility Charity - giving disabled people of all ages an opportunity to take control of an aeroplane and get involved in the aviation industry.
Thank you everyone who joined us to watch the Airshow live and also to CEO Mike Miller-Smith for the invitation! General aviation at its best today!
Watch the show here - https://youtu.be/Ec_VWSTrJ84
It's an honour to have been Highly Commended for a STEM Learning award in the 'Outstanding Contribution to Widening Participation, Diversity and Inclusion in STEM'. I am incredibly passionate about reaching out to a wide range of people from all backgrounds about STEM - particularly aviation and aerospace.
Thank you to our incredible volunteers for my nomination and your unwavering support to achieve our aims. This is an award for us all.
Thank you very much to Captain Marnie Munns for her informative and inspirational talk to the final year BSc Airline and Air Transport Management students at the University of West London this week. The talk highlighted the importance of preparing for careers and how diversity of thought is needed across all levels in the industry.
I believe in the power of collaboration and what we can achieve when we work together. It was such a pleasure to welcome students from University of West London to the Civil Aviation Authority last week to learn about careers in aerodromes, technical, engineering, cyber security, STEM and the International Group. The key message from the day was perseverance and being open to change!
Fantastic day filming with University of West London FlightPad and the Department for Transport Aviation Ambassadors promoting Aviation Skills Retention Platform and Talentview Aviation promoting opportunities in the industry.
It was such a pleasure to be part of a panel of exceptional women in aviation at the University of West London in my role as a Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador. This event celebrated #iwd2022 and gave the audience an opportunity to learn more about careers and opportunities in aviation and aerospace.
The panel consisted of influential women within aviation and the transport sector as a whole and we were able to share our stories and highlight the need for change to accelerate progress not only for women but for all.
A huge thank you to John Gibson for speaking to the final year undergraduate students today at University of West London They are studying the Aviation Policy and Security module.
John joined CargoLogicAir in September 2017 as the Director of Safety and Compliance. He is a qualified 747 pilot with over 30 years in aviation, and maintains his licence flying as a crew member.
Prior to this John was the Chief Technical Pilot with Titan Airways, Global Supply Systems and Thomson Airways. He started out as an Engineering Manager with British Airways for ten years before becoming a pilot with British Airways.
Thank you so much to one of our fantastic volunteers Lily Ayres for presenting at Bentley Priory Museum today to discuss your flying experiences, career and diversity in aviation along with your involvement with British Women Pilots' Association and others who have supported your career. The audience found the talk inspirational and felt that it was so timely today on the International day of Women in Science. Thank you so much Lily!
It’s been a great week for school visits with British Women Pilots' Association Chairwoman Sharon Nicholson inspiring children and leading the third day of Careers week at Mowlem Primary in Tower Hamlets yesterday morning. The children and adults were left in awe and completely inspired!
Thank you so much Sharon. You’ve been a supprrrive and inspiring presence over the years and inspire many to the industry.
Inspiring and enthusing women and girls and those from disadvantaged background consider careers in aviation.
