The National Aviation Hall of Fame President/CEO’s Federal Appointment Successfully Ends

DAYTON, Ohio – March 29, 2022- Two years ago, then U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao appointed National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) President and CEO Amy Spowart to the FAA’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB).

Since her appointment, Spowart and the other members of the WIAAB focused on analyzing industry trends; coordinating efforts among airlines, nonprofit organizations, and aviation and engineering associations to facilitate support for women pursuing aviation careers; expanding scholarship opportunities; and enhancing training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs for women interested in aviation careers.

“Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, the members of the WIAAB identified solutions that will affect change across the aviation industry, including associations and unions, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Congress,” said Spowart.

The final recommendations of the WIAAB are in 5 areas; culture, including a permanent board with oversight for implementation of change; recruitment, encompassing outreach, education, and economic access; retention, addressing family and work/life balance policies; advancement, such as professional development, and mentorship; and data, focusing on and removing data gaps to track and improve progress.

The WIAAB was established on Oct. 3, 2019, under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The purpose of the WIAAB was to develop strategies and recommendations that encourage women and girls to enter the field of aviation. The strategies and recommendations were delivered to the Administrator of the FAA, the Secretary of Transportation, and the U.S. Congress this week.

“I truly enjoyed working with our chair, former Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Heather Wilson, and the other members of this board,” Spowart said. “Our work is vital for the continuing excellence in our nation’s aviation system. Culture change must happen to ensure the ongoing safety and longevity of the industry.”

The FAA’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board’s report, Breaking Barriers for Women in Aviation: Flight Plan for the Future can be read in its entirety here. More information about the WIAAB, including bios of all 30 members, can be found on the FAA website via this link: FAA’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board.