Female pilots set to meet in Jordan

Female pilots from across the Middle East and around the world will meet in Jordan this September.

The annual get-together, which was held in Bahrain last year, is being organised by the Arabian section of the 99’s International Women’s Pilot Organisation, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

With more than 5,000 members ranging from light aircraft pilots to astronauts, the organisation has branches in more than 35 countries.

“It’s a very significant meeting because the Arabian section has grown out of all proportion when compared with other countries in the world,” said former area governor Yvonne Trueman.

“We now have 85 lady pilots in the Arabian section, the largest section outside America.

“We have to say that our current area governor Alia Twal, who flies with Royal Jordanian, has been an inspiration, going around and meeting female pilots, mostly commercial and airlines.

“She’s doing sterling work and it’s been recognised with the International Award for Special Achievement, which is awarded just once a year to one pilot internationally.”

Trueman described the event in Jordan as an international get-together.

“In September, we’re inviting lady pilots to come up,” she said.

“It’s international, so we’ve got people coming from the US and Spain, and coming to Jordan it’s very new to them.

“It’s a coming together of pilots with ideas and support for the area.

“It’s easy to belong to an association and not support it, but when you travel miles for something like this, it’s a show of support.

“These ladies are so clued-up to how hard it is for a woman in this part of the world to do their thing.

“Women have the same strength and qualities as men and this particular area has been lacking in growth for the female gender. The money raised will be donated to a welfare charity in Jordan.”

The meeting will take place from September 28 to October 2. - TradeArabia News Service