Sec. 2
Sense of Congress regarding women in aviation
changed
The It is the sense of Congress finds that the following:aviation industry should explore all opportunities, including pilot training, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, and mentorship programs, to encourage and support female students and aviators to pursue a career in aviation.
(1)
removed
Women make up over 50 percent of the national workforce, but are significantly underrepresented in the aviation industry. Women represent only 2 percent of airline mechanics, 4 percent of flight engineers, 5 percent of repairmen, 26 percent of air traffic controllers, 18 percent of flight dispatchers, and 6 percent of pilots.
(2)
removed
12 percent of students enrolled in AABI-accredited programs are women.
(3)
removed
Women have made tremendous contributions to aviation while under steep adversity. Courageous women like Blanche Scott, Amelia Earhart, Bessie Coleman, Ada Brown, and so many others paved the way for women in aviation and engineering. Their leadership shall be valued and remembered as we continue to grow the influence of women in aviation.
(4)
removed
Programs like the annual “Girls in Aviation Day” established by Women in Aviation International in September 2015 help young women be introduced to the different opportunities that are open to women in the aviation and aerospace industry. Support for these efforts will go a long way in supporting women’s aspirations in these fields.
Sec. 3
Supporting women’s involvement in the aviation field
(a)
added
Advisory Board— To encourage women and girls to enter the field of aviation, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall create and facilitate the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (referred to in this Act as the “Board”), with the objective of promoting organizations and programs that are providing education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment of women into the aviation industry.
(b)
added
Composition— The Board shall consist of members whose diverse background and expertise allows them to contribute balanced points of view and ideas regarding the strategies and objectives set forth in subsection (f).
(c)
added
Selection— Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall appoint members of the Board, including representatives from the following:
(1)
added
Major airlines and aerospace companies.
(2)
added
Nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry.
(3)
added
Aviation business associations.
(4)
added
Engineering business associations.
(5)
added
United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.
(6)
added
Institutions of higher education and aviation trade schools.
(d)
added
Period of Appointment— Members shall be appointed to the Board for the duration of the existence of the Board.
(e)
added
Compensation— Board members shall serve without compensation.
(f)
added
Duties— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall present a comprehensive plan for strategies the Administration can take, which include the following objectives:
(1)
added
Identifying industry trends that directly or indirectly encourage or discourage women from pursuing careers in aviation.
(2)
added
Coordinating the efforts of airline companies, nonprofit organizations, and aviation and engineering associations to facilitate support for women pursuing careers in aviation.
(3)
added
Creating opportunities to expand existing scholarship opportunities for women in the aviation industry.
(4)
added
Enhancing aviation training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are exclusive to women.
(1)
added
In general— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall submit a report outlining the comprehensive plan for strategies pursuant to subsection (f) to—
(A)
added
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
(B)
added
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
(C)
added
the Administrator.
(2)
added
Availability online— The Administrator shall make the report publicly available online and in print.
(h)
added
Sunset— The Board shall terminate upon the submittal of the report pursuant to subsection (g).
removed
It is the sense of Congress that the aviation industry should explore all opportunities, including pilot training, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, and mentorship programs, to encourage and support female students and aviators to pursue a career in aviation.
Sec. 4
Supporting women’s involvement in the aviation field
removed
(a)
removed
Advisory Board— To encourage women and girls to enter the field of aviation, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall create and facilitate the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (referred to in this section as the “Board”), with the objective of promoting organizations and programs that are providing education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment of women into the aviation industry.
(b)
removed
Composition— The Board shall consist of members whose diverse background allows them to contribute balanced points of view and ideas regarding the strategies and objectives set forth in section 4(f).
(c)
removed
Selection— Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall appoint members of the Board, including representatives from the following:
(1)
removed
Major airlines and aerospace companies.
(2)
removed
Nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry.
(3)
removed
Aviation business associations.
(4)
removed
Engineering business associations.
(5)
removed
United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.
(d)
removed
Period of Appointment— Members shall be appointed to the Board for the duration of the existence of the Board.
(e)
removed
Compensation— Board members shall serve without compensation.
(f)
removed
Duties— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall present a comprehensive plan for strategies the Administration can take, which include the following objectives:
(1)
removed
Identifying industry trends that directly or indirectly discourage women from pursuing careers in aviation, including—
(A)
removed
possible differences between women minority groups; and
(B)
removed
possible differences between women who live in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
(2)
removed
Coordinating the functions of airline companies, nonprofit organizations, and aviation and engineering associations to facilitate support for women pursuing careers in aviation.
(3)
removed
Creating opportunities to expand existing scholarship opportunities for women in the aviation industry.
(4)
removed
Enhancing aviation training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are exclusive to women.
(1)
removed
In general— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to—
(A)
removed
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(B)
removed
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(2)
removed
Availability online— The Administrator shall make the report publicly available online and in print.