Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce Act”.
Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce Act
A BILL
To create opportunities for women in the aviation industry.
Sec. 2 Findings
The Congress finds the following:
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.
Twelve percent of students enrolled in AABI-accredited programs are women.
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.
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 Sense of Congress regarding women in aviation
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
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.
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).
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:
Major airlines and aerospace companies.
Nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry.
Aviation business associations.
Engineering business associations.
United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.
Period of Appointment— Members shall be appointed to the Board for the duration of the existence of the Board.
Compensation— Board members shall serve without compensation.
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:
Identifying industry trends that directly or indirectly discourage women from pursuing careers in aviation, including—
possible differences between women minority groups; and
possible differences between women who live in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Coordinating the functions of airline companies, nonprofit organizations, and aviation and engineering associations to facilitate support for women pursuing careers in aviation.
Creating opportunities to expand existing scholarship opportunities for women in the aviation industry.
Enhancing aviation training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are exclusive to women.
Reports—
In general— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to—
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
Availability online— The Administrator shall make the report publicly available online and in print.