Kathan Dudhela - Ireland primary schools

Huge thanks to Kathan Dudhela for a wonderful visit to primary schools in Ireland today. The schools were so impressed and inspired!

“He was absolutely AMAZING! He gave us a really interesting presentation and then he answered all our many questions with kidness and thoughtfulness. He is inspiring! We asked about storm clouds, about travel sickness as a pilot, about what happens if there are not enough seats on planes for all the passengers, about the best place that Kathan has flown to, about Hong Kong airport, about pilots wearing headphones on flights, about scary flights and landings that Kathan has had, about how pilots manage to eat and sleep on planes, about the uniform, about the many countries that Kathan could visit in one day, about whether Kathan is scared of heights or not, about Kathan’s favourite plane and about Kathan’s longest flight ever. Kathan answered all these questions (and many more). We were fascinated.

What a wonderful visit! Teachers and students alike are singing your praises Kathan. One girl in my class has even revised her future plans and wrote "I just really wanted to be a teacher when I grow up but when I heard your amazing story I said to myself that when I grow up I am not going to be a teacher, I am going to be a pilot and not going to change that I have it on my bucket list now". (she is 7) High praise indeed!

Many thanks to Kathan and to Kanchana from The Aviatrix Project for organising this visit for us.”

Role as an Aviation Ambassador

Recently I was able to begin my role as an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport. I’ve had a lifelong passion for aviation and I want to ensure that everyone has ample opportunities to achieve their dreams. Being supported by role models was key to my success and enjoyment whilst learning to fly - and led me to create the project in 2015 to provide opportunities for young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds access aviation. I’ve seen first hand the difference we can make working with young people and inspiring volunteers.

Ultimately I believe that we can use aviation as a tool to raise aspirations. I want to encourage young people – particularly young women from all backgrounds and walks of life – to believe in themselves and to know that there are no limits or barriers to achieving anything they set their mind to. It will be such a privilege to work with the talented group of ambassadors this year to make a difference to the industry.

FLYER Livestream

Thank you Flyer for your warm welcome and inviting me to join the #livestream last night! It was a pleasure to join you and thanks also fo everyone who listened and are so supporting of all we do.

Listen here - youtu.be/6fS2jm6FsWA

Department for Transport Aviation Ambassadors

It’s an absolute privilege to have been chosen to be an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport. I’m very much looking forward to working with these inspirational role models to make a difference in the industry!

https://www.gov.uk/gove.../groups/aviation-ambassadors-group

Stansted Airport College visit

We have some incredible volunteers who give up so much of their time to inspire the next generation. Although one of our main aims is to inspire women and girls we are so keen to see a balanced approach. And our volunteers are of both genders and they showcase the importance of team work and collaboration.

All our thanks to John Gibson and Kathan Dudhela for their time supporting students at Stansted Airport College and 3rd Hertford Scouts this week.

Royal Aeronautical Society Awards 2021

It was an incredible privilege to receive the Individual Specialist Award from the Royal Aeronautical Society This was awarded for being a role model, educational professional and private pilot, and using my passion for aviation to create The Aviatrix Project which has successfully worked with primary and secondary schools as well as higher education institutions to encourage girls into STEM and enthuse them about aviation during the pandemic. I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported our work over the past 6 years and to Captain Marnie Munns for the nomination and her mentoring and guidance since we were founded.

#RAeSAwards2021

Cockpit Conversations

As we celebrate our 6th anniversary this month it was such a pleasure to be featured on the latest edition of Cockpit Conversations!

In this interview with Pilot and Broadcaster Mike Roberts from Take Flight Aviation Kanchana talks about the role of the project and her own long journey to be come a Pilot. And how she wants to make it easier for people who find themselves in her position where to fly seems like an impossible dream. Despite her role and aspirations to make the industry more diverse she maintains that it should always be the best person for the job regardless of sex, race or background.

As they fly above the English countryside, they discuss Kanchana's background and how the use of role models like commercial pilots and engineers to reach out to young people, and how effective it has been in inspiring and enthusing young girls and those from all backgrounds into the aviation industry. Together with external agencies the project has been able to develop strong partnerships with schools to support those who are keen to explore aviation opportunities. Whilst the team visit as many schools as they can across the UK they make a special effort to reach communities where such opportunities are not the norm.

The combination of our flying club links and networks along with Kanchana's own educational background as a former Lecturer and a Headteacher gives the project a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to the industry. The opportunities are open to all schools, colleges, community groups and universities across the UK and abroad and we deliver assemblies, talks and workshops to mixed gender audiences all without cost.

Mike says "Kanchana is an inspiration and it was great to catch up and fly with my good friend again, especially to chat about aviation, a subject close to both our heart"

New Anglia LEP

Many thanks to Captain John Gibson and one of our Directors Jo Gibson for their time talking all about our work and flying today. They spoke at the ‘Careers & Coffee’ event for the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

https://youtube.com/c/NewAngliaLocalEnterprisePartnership

Panel event - Motherhood in STEM

An incredibly insightful discussion with Marie McCausland and Camila Infanger Almeida for the After IGEM event on Motherhood and STEM. We represented views from the UK, USA and Brazil - with an international audience from countries including Ghana, Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico and India.

Tonight’s panel discussion focused on how motherhood impacts on STEM and academic careers - how the pandemic has highlighted the stark difference in the gender pay gap, workplace inequalities and the domestic role often played by mothers. What’s clear is that the challenges are present in all corners of the world - but our responses and solutions are different - due to cultural and societal norms. Allies are so important - and we are all incredibly grateful for the support we have had on our journeys and are privileged to make way for future generations to have a more inclusive workplace. Thank you Harindi Jayakody and Harshini Davuluri for inviting me to take part.

Motherhood in STEM

Parenthood - specifically motherhood - can be a key driver of gender imbalance in STEM. The greatest challenge lies in refining a balance between the two very rewarding roles. It takes compromise, adjustment, sacrifice and effort.

Recently there has been much progress but there’s still significant underrepresentation of not just women in STEM or aviation - but perhaps mothers in this field. And this is often an overlooked topic when discussing diversity and whether the aviation industry is a viable possibility for those who are already mothers. It’s never possible to ‘have it all’ but I do believe that it’s possible to have pride in your children and be passionate about your field.

IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2021

We are delighted to announce that our Founder Kanchana has been shortlisted for the prestigious International Air Transport Association (IATA) Diversity & Inclusion award in the High Flyer category! She’s always been incredibly passionate about encouraging diversity in all she does and we are so pleased to see that her work has been recognised in this way.

Find more https://bit.ly/3l6l2hL

Nuffield research Placements 2021

It was a phenomenal effort from our supervisors this summer to support the Year 12 students with their Nuffield placements. We will soon celebrate the successes of the students with Stempoint East - and it’s also important to recognise the efforts of our volunteers. They have navigated a turbulent period within aviation and have devoted time to help others at this time. Almost all our supervisors are also members of the British Women Pilots' Association who we work with very closely to support and deliver outreach.

This is just a snapshot of the feedback we receive from our students. Maisha worked with Jo Gibson on her aviation project throughout the summer. Jo has a wealth of experience working for Stansted Airport, Ryanair as well as in schools - and is also on our Board of Directors.

"It was truly a unique experience completing this project but I am so thankful you were my mentor and the help you have provided me throughout this process is something that I appreciate a lot. Thank you so much for the support".

IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2021

It’s a privilege to have been nominated for the 2021 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Diversity and Inclusion Awards in the High Flyer category. All my thanks to Jo Davies , Elaine Elliman , Lilly Johnston and the team for their efforts putting the nomination together.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do so this really is such a privilege - and not possible without the support of our volunteers, partners and sponsors. Incredibly grateful to everyone for believing in my little dream

Diversity & inclusion - an Indian event

A huge thank you to Kathan Dudhela for presenting at this webinar yesterday and for Aviakul for the invitation.