WAI to launch new Aviation for Girls App on 6th Annual GIAD, September 26

Women in Aviation International’s Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) will go on in 2020 – despite the global pandemic – and it will be bigger and more far-reaching than ever! WAI chapters and corporate members will not host in-person events this year and will instead deliver a virtual experience through a new Aviation for Girls app that is free and available to all beginning Saturday, September 26, 2020.

“With the continued growth and success of Girls in Aviation Day – in large part due to the dedicated and tireless efforts of WAI Corporate Members and Chapters all around the world – we knew we had to expand the GIAD experience this year, and canceling wasn’t an option,” says WAI CEO Allison McKay. “With input from our chapters, partners, board of directors, and staff, we decided for the safety of our youngsters and volunteers, to provide a virtual experience that takes no chances with safety.”

Without geographic constraints, the Aviation for Girls app is the tool WAI will provide to allow more girls to experience the valuable WAI content, resources, career panel videos, hands-on activities, virtual tours, scholarships, and mentoring opportunities. Key to the GIAD experience is providing participants the chance to meet role models to whom they can relate, see in themselves, and who represent career opportunities they may never have dreamed of.  In addition, GIAD attendees using the app will qualify to apply for WAI 2021 scholarships and will receive monthly WAI Connect eNewsletters, and the digital version of Aviation for Women magazine.

“It’s important to note the Aviation for Girl app is not meant to take the place of our future face-to-face GIAD events, but rather to complement the big day beyond 2020,” adds Outreach Director Molly Martin. “We all agree that the app will extend the power of the day for the girls and help ignite their aviation spark in thousands. And, with year-round availability and a continuously growing library of content, we’ll be able to help keep that spark lit all across the world.”

Click here for the list of current #GIAD20 partners and more information. Advance registration information will follow in the coming weeks – please visit WAI.org/giad.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.