Glad to hear it went well. There is so much to explore with stalls so continue to push your instructor and you’ll learn a lot in the process. Remember, keep the dirty side down. 🙂

Originally posted by mongu
I don’t think airlines should be congratulated for employing females though.

I totally agree. Making light of the fact that you hire female pilots is just as bad as stating that female pilots are of a less caliber than males. In one case you build them up because you hire them and the other you tear them down becaues they’re women. If it wasn’t for social pressure I’m sure there would be a lot less women flying at the majors as a lot were given a shot at that job a lot earlier in their careers than more experienced male pilots. I’m not saying that they wouldn’t have gotten there eventually but a lot got their foot in the door years ahead of male pilots due to no other reason than they are women. Now I don’t lose sleep over it. It happens, but the percentage of women in aviation is so small that it really doesn’t impact the job progression of anyone.

Originally posted by KabirT
First of all the main reason why airlines and even Air Forces avoid women pilots is due to there personal reasons, pregnency etc. All this results in a big amount of off days.

Second it CAN be unhealthy for women to take the pressures of flying. It has been medicaly proven that G forces donot co-operate well with a womens functional system.

Third, even if women join as pilots they tend to leave (in most cases) after marriage, pregnancy etc.

So seeing all these factors, to me atleast reason is clear why aiirliens and air forces avoid female pilots. They cant keep on looking for replacements.

Holy smokes dude, where do you get your information? They don’t hire women because they can become preganant and need time off? I’ve NEVER heard that. That’s like saying they never hire old pilots because they are more likely to become sick and need to call off work. Most airlines have provisions in their contracts allowing time off for women if they become pregnant AND MEN too so they can be home with their wife around the time she gives birth. By your logic they shouldn’t hire married guys so they won’t ask to be off to help with the new born.

Unhealthy to fly? I will agree that the average woman can’t handle the same about of G-Force a male can but most Air Forces don’t take the average Woman OR Male to be a fighter pilot. Plus I’ve never experienced any flight condition that would require anyone to live through more than 2 G’s. I’d be more worried about some of our old fat pilots that break out in a sweat after lifting their flight case.

I don’t think women leave after getting married or pregnant. Just like any male pilot they put in waaaaay to much work in getting where they are, they don’t easily through that away and leave their job. Most female airline pilots I know are married and a good portion of them have kids already.

As I said in my response to mongu, a lot of operators go out of their way to hire female pilots, albeit still a very small percentage.

Originally posted by martin_EGTK
I was lucky enough to speak to the BA crew after the flight, they were laughing about the fact that they had turned off the runway at 70 knots (not unusual at all) but then that they had carried on to the apron at 60. Both were blaming the other for the speed, but it was all in a light hearted manner.

Be careful what you say. It’s one thing for a pilot to say they left the runway a little quick. It’s another to have a passenger run off to his friends and say “that pilot left the runway a little quick” after listening to their conversation. Again, those up front can pass judgment on themselves as they were there and are familiar with the situation. As you as you leave that comment is out of context. It was done in jest among friends but that is not how it was posted here. You just made light of poor operations by the pilots.

the landing itself was not bad other than the fact that we slightly overshot the touchdown markers and she slammed the nose wheel down.

First off, they are touchdown aim points nothing more. A normal approach from an ILS will result in a landing beyond those markers.

Second, once you have some time in a large T-Tail airliner perhaps you’ll understand why the nose slamming down happens. It’s a design issue that pilots have to contend with and it isn’t always possible to lessen the blow.

Originally posted by Moondance
To be honest, with my limited (professional!) experience of female aviators, I would suggest that the average woman pilot is actually slightly better than the average bloke.

I would have to agree with you Moondance. I’ve flown with quite a few female pilots and on an average I think they are better sticks than their male counterpart. Now I think there are a couple reasons for that with a big one being what you said in that they work harder to fit into a male dominated environment. A guy a lot of times can get by doing the bare minimum where as the woman will have to show something above that to get the same treatment.

Another factor I think is that women are better students in aviation. They have a finer touch which especially shows in Instrument flying. I had a few female instructors and a few female students and I can vouch for them. Guys are more prone to overcontrol which can be a tough thing to over come for some folks.

As for one sex being proven a better stick I find that hard to believe. Show me any report that says that women are disadvantaged as pilots. As for high pressure situations the only emergency I’ve ever had (#2 engine fire indication) the female captain handled it quickly, efficiently and professionally. I think your facts martin_EGTK are driven more by stereotypes than statistics.

Even though the industry is changing it’s perception of female aviators it still harbors a lot of closet female haters. Even now I have “friends” that are quick to give fault to a female pilot for no other reason other than she’s a woman. Have a hard landing, we all get out and joke about it. A female was behind the yoke and a they’re sure to make light of it. I tell them everytime to grow up.

Here’s a more recent encounter and one more reason I don’t swim in the ocean:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/17/1042520761702.html

It also turns out that there is a squid bigger than the Giant Squid. Researchers are calling it the Collosal Squid.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2910849.stm

Another recently discovered “large squid” that measures 4-5 meters. This link has pictures and movies captured from a deep sea remotely operated vehicle. Very creepy.

http://www.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2001/dec21_clague/dec21_clague.html

My girlfriend and a good friend of mine (also a female) are both captains. I give them a hard time all the time about being pilots and captains. “Chicks don’t fly unless they’re pushing a galley cart.” 😉 😀

Now A330Crazy, you can’t pass judgement on a pilots ability because of a landing you experienced sitting in the back of an airplane. You never know the full story (or even any of the story for that matter) staring out a little window. It’s also not fair to associate any pilot’s ability or lack their of with their sex, skin color, weight, etc. From my experience a female pilot is just as likely as a male pilot to be what you would consider a good pilot or bad pilot.

Prior to the switch to non-smoking airlines pilots were allowed to light up as well as the passengers. I don’t miss the days of those flights. blah.