Why Gender-Neutral Terminology Matters in Aviation

 “This document avoids the clumsy statements of he/she and him/her by following the traditional use of he, him and his to include both sexes”.

This, or a similar disclaimer can be found in the preface of the majority of aviation textbooks, documents and manuals. This is the standard within aviation.

Elevate(her) conducted a survey of over 200 women involved in the aviation industry. 81.7% of women encountered masculine pronouns in literature always or often.

Does Gendered Language Matter?

This has been the standard within the industry for years, so what's the issue?

Within our survey, when asked out of 5 how important they feel gender-neutral terminology is 42.6% of women chose 5/5, that this was extremely important.

Women are being excluded from aviation literature, and they are saying it matters.

The use of masculine pronouns to represent all people is unnecessary and inaccurate. Aviation literature should serve all readers and provide an inclusive learning experience, regardless of gender.

Training documents and textbooks set the standard for the industry. By choosing to only use male pronouns, they reinforce outdated stereotypes and the idea that the industry only caters to men. 

Finding a Solution

As the disclaimer itself suggests, the repeated use of 'he/she' and 'him/her' disrupts the flow of reading and feels awkward. However, defaulting to masculine pronouns is neither necessary nor inclusive.

In academia, the most widely accepted solution is to use they/them as singular pronouns. This not only includes both male and female genders but also ensures inclusivity for individuals who do not identify with gender-specific pronouns.

While some may debate the grammatical correctness of singular they/them, historical usage supports its validity—these pronouns have been used in both singular and plural forms since the 14th century and were officially recognised as singular in the 16th century.

Using they/them elegantly resolves the issue of gendered language while encompassing a broader range of identities.

Editing Language

As aviation evolves, so must its language. When textbooks are updated to reflect regulatory and technological changes, they should also be revised to be more inclusive.

Other industries have already taken action. In 2007, UK government policy shifted away from standardised male pronouns in legislation, replacing them with gender-neutral language.

Establishing an industry standard for inclusive language would reduce confusion and help all aviation professionals feel represented and heard.

Gendered language matters because the people it affects say it matters.