Maximizing Participation of Women in Collegiate Aviation Education. NIAR Report 93-14.

National Institute for Aviation Research, 1845 Fairmount Box 93, Wichita, KS 67260 ($7.50).

N

115

Administrator Attitudes; Aviation Education; Career Choice; College Faculty; Colleges; Higher Education; Sex Bias; Sex Differences; Teacher Attitudes; Undergraduate Study; Women Faculty

A study was done to examine the reasons for the low number of women in collegiate aviation education by focusing on the number and status of women aviation educators and on attitudes toward women in aviation. Information was sought from each of the 67 four-year University Aviation Association member institutions, with a response rate of 63%. Structured telephone interviews with 47 aviation program directors and aviation collegiate educators at the 42 responding institutions were conducted. The instrument requested data concerning the present status of women in collegiate aviation education and used open-ended questions to allow respondents to recommend changes. Analysis revealed that women hold 10.5 percent of the full-time aviation faculty positions, that women hold 8.8 percent of the earned doctorates in the technologically related field of engineering, and that 5.2 percent of Certified Flight Instructors are women. Responses from the 13 female interviewees indicated that the majority of them became involved in the profession by accident. Several respondents indicated that mentoring is important in a woman's career. Suggestions to women interested in collegiate aviation education included: networking, joining professional organizations, participating in conferences, acquiring higher degrees in education, acquiring as many flight ratings as possible, becoming more aggressive, seeking leadership from women, and being a role model for other women. (Includes a copy of the instrument, a list of participating institutions, information on the researcher, and a 125-item bibliography. (JB)

1993

ED359885