Why are Aviation Communities Important?

Aviation communities are a great way to connect with likeminded individuals, gain invaluable advice and boost confidence. Here is Lucie's experience of how aviation communities aided her in her goal of achieving a PPL.

They say hindsight is a beautiful thing, and I have found that is certainly the case with starting a career in aviation. Looking back over my journey the past couple of years I can see how much I have learned and changed through the challenges I faced entering this industry, but I can also see where I wish I had done things differently knowing what I know now. One of the most significant things I have learned is how incredible the aviation community is, and how valuable a resource it can be to anyone starting out on this amazing journey.

My career in aviation began back in 2021 when I started training to gain a PPL(A). At the time I didn’t know many people in the aviation community - I knew I wanted to learn to fly and start a career in aviation but due to the fact that I didn’t have any family or friends in the industry, I had to attempt to pave my own way through this learning experience which is a daunting prospect and not without its obstacles. At the beginning, I found I was completely overwhelmed by the task at hand. Not only did this involve self-funding my flying by juggling a job alongside lessons, but I was constantly thinking about what was coming next and how best to prepare. Whether it was upcoming theory exams or a particularly challenging lesson, it put my multi-tasking to the test. During these times, when self-doubt and negativity got the best of me, I reached out to female aviator communities online, and it was a game-changer.

Organisations such as Elevate(her), BWPA, and WAI are great communities to be a part of and have events planned throughout the year to bring female aviators together. I found that while juggling flying lessons and a job, I wasn’t able to attend many of these events, which is why seeking out communities online is also a great way to connect with peers.

I have found that my lack of confidence when flying was one of my main issues, and you can’t always get the encouragement you need from your instructor. Asking questions and voicing my struggles on forums, such as on Facebook and Instagram, filled me with confidence not only that the issue at hand could be fixed with advice provided by these incredible contributors, but also that I could actually belong in that community and that a career in aviation wasn’t just a pipe dream. 

One of my main problems during my PPL training was getting stuck at the circuit stage, and finances had become a strain. Reaching out and getting responses from others showed me that plenty of others have faced similar hurdles in their respective journeys, and made the problem feel so much more solvable.

The ability to connect with other aviators from across the world is something everyone should tap into as soon as they can, because the more you know about options that are out there, the more informed a decision you can make on the best next steps.

Of course it is worth bearing in mind that not all options are the same for each person, across different countries or even within the same country. I have found that solutions based on one person’s experience may not be possible for another and that can get frustrating. It’s a well-evidenced truth that every person within the aviation industry will have a vastly different experience to the next, so it is difficult at times to see a clear path for yourself, but the main advice I would give is to collect information. Listen to stories, talk to instructors, operations staff, radio operators, anyone who will tell you about their journey, and this will open your eyes to the vast possibilities that exist. Due to the gender imbalance across the aviation industry, there is a huge push within these female-forward communities to be a resource for knowledge and networking; both invaluable when developing technical skills and competence, and increasing your prospects and potential.

I strongly believe that the steps I took to communicate and connect with fellow female aviators completely changed my perspective. Not only did it instill an incredible confidence in me that my aviation goals are achievable - something I had struggled with from the start - but also that it’s important to seek help when you need it, rather than suffer in silence. Learning to fly is a tough journey whatever your background, but especially when imposter syndrome.

is ready to creep up on you in those darker times. We must continue to champion women in aviation and support each other whenever we can. I can say, from a personal point of view, I would not be where I am today without the support and guidance I have received outside of my flight school. I now have my PPL(A) and am looking forward to a long future ahead, flying with friends, colleagues, and fellow female aviators!