HANDS TOUCHING THE SKY:

THE STORY OF FEMALE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS

Female aircraft maintenance technicians play a vital role in flight safety. Phoebe Omlie, born in 1902, was the world’s first licensed female maintenance technician and transport pilot, inspiring women globally. In Turkey, pioneers like Nursel Ünden Ortaç have increased female representation in the field. Despite challenges such as prejudice and limited opportunities, women continue to excel, performing critical maintenance tasks and symbolizing resilience. From past pioneers to today’s professionals, female technicians remain the silent heroes of aviation.

W hile aeroplanes glide through the sky, a great deal of effort is expended on the ground to ensure they can take off and land safely. Much of this effort is carried out by aircraft maintenance technicians, who often work behind the scenes but play an extremely critical role. Among these technicians are women who have made their mark on history with their courage and determination.

Phoebe Omlie:

A Woman’s Journey to the Skies

Born in Iowa in 1902, Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie was still a young woman when she discovered aviation. In 1927, she made history by not only becoming a pilot but also obtaining an aircraft technician licence. She was the world’s first licensed female aircraft maintenance technician. She was also the first female transport pilot and the first woman to be appointed to a federal position in aviation. Omlie could dismantle and reassemble aircraft engines, check fuel systems, and manage maintenance processes. Not content with just technical knowledge, she also meticulously followed procedures and maintenance records to ensure that aircraft could operate safely in the hangar. The inspiration affected women around the world, not only job, also the determination of her.





The Rise of Women in Aviation in Turkey

Women in Turkey are also taking significant steps in the aviation sector. Nursel Ünden Ortaç served as chief technician at the Calibration Workshop at Turkish Airlines Technical Inc. and has been an important figure in paving the way for women in this field. She states that when she started working, there were very few female technicians, so working alongside men was both challenging and interesting. However, over time, the number of female technicians increased and the role of women in the aviation sector grew stronger.

The Role of Women in the Sector and the Challenges They Face

Female technicians undertake many critical tasks to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. These include maintaining engines and mechanical systems, checking fuel and hydraulic systems, inspecting landing gear, testing avionics systems, and managing repair processes. They are also responsible for organising maintenance programmes and ensuring that pre-flight checks are carried out thoroughly. By successfully performing all these tasks, they guarantee aviation safety from both a technical and operational perspective. However, female technicians have not had an easy path in this sector. They have faced challenges such as social prejudices, limited educational opportunities, exclusion in the workplace, and a lack of mentorship. While the proportion of female maintenance technicians

REFERENCES:

https://unitingaviation.com/news/capacity-efficiency/icao-releases-new-data-on-status-of-global-aviation-gender-equality

https://avitrader.com/2023/12/17/women-in-aircraft-maintenance

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/cd7f1170cbf447c7824f63e8d138e5d0/gender-in-aviation-final.pdf

https://inspire.eaa.org/2024/04/01/women-in-aviation