"WE'RE WAITING FOR THE GIRLS": THE OUTBACK WOMEN PILOTS CALLING FOR MORE RECRUITS
When passengers climb aboard a small plane in the Kimberley and see a woman in the pilot's seat, some still assume she must be the flight attendant.
It is a reminder of just how rare women pilots remain in Australia, but a group of determined aviators in the far north of Western Australia are working hard to change that.
According to the latest figures from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, women make up just 8 per cent of licensed pilots in the country.
That means more than nine out of ten people flying our skies are men.
Meet the Kimberley women pilots
Caroline Jamieson is a senior pilot based in Broome with Shoal Air, flying to remote communities and stations across the region.
Greta Taine holds the same senior role in Kununurra, around 1,000 kilometres away by road.
Both women spoke to the ABC about life in the cockpit, and their stories are wonderfully encouraging.
Caroline says passengers regularly ask her for advice because their daughters are interested in flying.
She is also optimistic about the future.
"It's growing, the girls are coming, we're waiting for the girls," she told the ABC.
Greta grew up with an aviation connection through a family member, which gave her an early understanding of what the lifestyle involves.
She describes the job as challenging but deeply rewarding.
While her workplace is still mostly male, she says her colleagues are her mates at the end of the day.
Why the Kimberley is the perfect training ground
The Kimberley is enormous, and in many places a small plane is the most practical way to get around.
Hilary Wilkins, vice president of the Australian Women Pilots' Association and a helicopter pilot herself, explained that aircraft in the region often work rather like taxis.
Single pilot operations in remote areas also build serious skills.
Those skills prepare pilots for bigger aircraft and bigger careers later on.
For a young woman starting out, a few years flying over gorges, rivers and red dirt could be the adventure of a lifetime and a brilliant career launchpad.
What would help more women pilots?
Hilary believes the industry needs to make itself more appealing to women for the long term.
She points to family friendly policies, professional development and strong career pathways as key.
In her view, a balanced workforce simply is not possible without them.
It is a familiar story for women in many industries, where juggling shift work and caring responsibilities can force talented people out.
The federal government launched the Women in the Aviation Industry Initiative in 2019 with $8 million in funding, aimed at boosting the number of women joining and staying in aviation.
A strategic action plan released in 2023 mapped out how that work would be delivered until 2026.
Inspiring the next generation
Perhaps the most powerful thing these women do is simply turn up for work.
Every time a little girl watches a woman calmly take a plane into the sky, it plants a seed.
Caroline jokes about wanting more industry "girlfriends", and you can feel the warmth behind that.
Building a network of women supporting women is exactly what makes a male dominated industry feel less lonely.
If you have a daughter, niece or granddaughter who loves planes, there are practical first steps.
Many local aero clubs offer trial introductory flights, which are a fun way to see whether the passion sticks.
Groups such as the Australian Women Pilots' Association also offer support, events and more than $100,000 in scholarships each year for women at different stages of their flying journey.
A career with a view
Flying is not an easy path, and training takes time, commitment and money.
But as Caroline and Greta show, it can lead to a life of freedom, purpose and some of the most breathtaking views in the country.
And with only 8 per cent of licences held by women, there is plenty of room in the cockpit.
As Caroline says, they are waiting for the girls.
