Countdown to the 2012 Women Of Aviation Week

FROM THE DESK OF MIREILLE GOYER

LESS THAN 60 DAYS TO GO I hope that everyone enjoyed the best ever holiday season.If you are already missing the parties, well don't. Our big party is coming soon.  In less than 60 days, girls and women around the world will discover that flying is for them too, thanks to each one of you, whether you organize, help, or fly.. Many make looking into learning to fly a New Year resolution. In Maryland, some girls and women have already made the next move... registering to discover flying during the Frederick Airport's Women Fly It Forward event. The sooner you announce your Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week event, the more New Year resolutions will become a reality. In Europe, pilots from the U.K., France, Belgium, and Switzerland could not even wait for after the holidays to register to participate to the "Across the Channel: Women Unifying Nations" event. At least 100 girls and women will discover flying above the English Channel as a salute to Harriet Quimby on March 10. Some pilots from U.S. have plans to join the European party. Those pilots that remain in the U.S. can still join the celebration by introducing a record number of girls and women to flying on that day. Soon, we will discover the candidates of the video contest with a free trip to Europe to join the fun above the English Channel as a prize. From February 4 to February 7, you will have a chance to vote to select who will win the trip, represent the United States, and be the guest of Europe. GREAT 2012 PRIZES Did you check this year's prizes? I already mentioned that AOPA has offered a $500 USD prize to the winner of the First To Solo Challenge. But did you notice the other great prizes from our other sponsors? Sennheiser is offering two S1 Digital headsets, the most advanced ANR headsets today: one for any pilot, worldwide, that introduces at least 5 girls or women to flying during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week and one for a pilot participating to the "Across the Channel: Women Unifying Nations" event in Europe. There is much more. Baron Services is offering its top-of-the-line aviation weather plan, Barry Schiff is giving away its entire book collection to one pilot, Aircraft Spruce wants pilots to go on a shopping frenzy at its stores, OSRM is sharing its online courses to make 5 pilots safer, and Powder Puff Pilot will help women pilots showcase their uniqueness at the airport. That's just the beginning. Many pro-women aviation businesses and associations are just becoming aware that the pilots of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week are a special group, a group of people who choose action instead of talk, a group of people making a real difference, today.  Then, there are the local businesses like Aviation Insurance Resources in Frederick, MD, that go out their way to support the pilots at their headquarter airport. So keep checking the website for the latest info. WHO WILL WIN THE OFFICIAL EMBROIDERED JACKET On January 25 2012, I will announce the winner of the drawing for the official Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week embroidered jacket. You can still get a chance to win it by buying a t-shirt or making a donation before January 20, 2012. Check it out the details. You can also win one of these stylish jackets by winning the photo contest. TEMPORARY TATTOOS This year, temporary tattoos that say, "I'm a girl. Today I flew a plane", are available. These can be free for VIP Club members. Anyone who introduced 5 or more girls or women to flying or performed other qualifying activities in the last 12 months can be a VIP Club member, free of charge. However, membership is not systematic. It must be desired and requested. Getting free tattoos is a good reason to request to membership, if you qualify. Interestingly, Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week has been listed as a human rights event on the website of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. And no, I don't know how that happened but I like it! Together, let's introduced thousandths of girls and women to aviation and show the world that the aviation industry is indeed eager to welcome more girls and women. What has been does not have to remain. Women are interested in flying. Let's roll out the welcome mat. Mireille Goyer Intl Team Leader www.WomenOfAviationWeek.org