OVERCOMING CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY

MADDY BORG – Student

Maddy is 17 years old and has completed aviation gateway school. She can’t decide whether she wants to be a pilot or an engineer. Originally, Maddy didn’t realise that aviation was even an option for girls, as she had not seen many female role models who are aviators. Her father and mother both have mental health problems, leading her to live with her aunt.

Breaking Gender Bias

ELLEN FRANKLIN – Charter Pilot

Ellen recently completed her instructor rating. To overcome gender bias in the industry, Ellen said she needs to do things better than her male counterparts. Ellen felt the isolation that comes from being away from friends and family while she was doing her instructor rating full time. In a foreign city, with people she hardly knew, she was determined to obtain her rating. “After university, I did all the tests and I passed everything, which was really exciting. I was just waiting for an offer of entry. I got an offer for entry into the air force and told I was medically unfit on the same day. I was pretty devastated.”

AUSTRALIA’S YOUNGEST FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR?

SONJA CONWAY

Sonja obtained her instructor rating on her 18th birthday. Sonja’s struggle has been gaining the confidence in delivery of briefs and the cockpit. She has found her voice but struggled to do so throughout her training. She wants to show women that there is a place for them in aviation.