Seminar encourages girls to become pilots

April 26, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - The Girl Scouts want to see more Alaska women flying airplanes across the Last Frontier. To that end, they're hosting a three-day aviation seminar to introduce high school-aged girls to possible careers or hobbies in aviation.

The seminar runs this weekend, Friday through Sunday, with a group of women pilots from the Alaska Chapter 99s offering instruction in basic navigation, flight controls and radio terminology. The three-day event concludes with each girl taking the controls of the University of Alaska Anchorage's air traffic control tower simulator.

"Alaska is a land of aviation and a lot of kids have parents who fly," said program developer Terry Gryting. "As a whole culture, we don't often think to encourage girls in aviation careers. This program gives them a chance to meet women pilots."

The seminar takes place at UAA's aviation tech center in Anchorage and is open to all high school girls, regardless of whether they are Girl Scouts. The cost is $30 per person and includes lunch and a snack on Saturday.

"I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Gryting said. "It's also a good thing to put on a résumé."

The Girl Scouts Susitna Council is a nonprofit group that helps organize Girl Scout functions. This is the second year in a row it has held an aviation seminar. Thanks to a $3,000 grant this year from Lockheed Martin, the program was able to add the flight simulator to the overall experience.

Gryting said financial assistance is available for those who can't afford the $30 fee. For more information, people may call Gryting at (800) 478-7448 or e-mail her at susitna@gsscak.org. Registration must be completed no later than Wednesday, April 27.

Contact Joel Davidson at 352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.