Gender issues in aviation: pilot perceptions and employment relations

This article examines the Australian component of a crosscultural study of gender issues in aviation. For over twenty years female pilots have had access to the professional pilot positions within airlines but their numbers continue to be very low. Both the civil and military sectors in the aviation industry continue to be dominated by masculine perceptions and behaviours. The survey of 1114 pilots in Australia was conducted to ascertain their perceptions of female pilots. The results supported a two factor structure consisting of flying proficiency and safety orientation. Results also revealed that females scored higher on these two dimensions than males, and that opportunity to fly with the opposite gender improved male perceptions of female pilots on Safety Orientation. Those undertaking Crew Resource Management (CRM) training also revealed more negative perceptions of females on this factor also. The implications of these perceptions in respect of recruitment and training and development are considered and continuing inequities, stereotypes and bias are highlighted.