ERLANGER, Ky. — The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky are teaming up to inspire the next generation of pilots.
15-year-old Kyla Wolter showed an impressive level of concentration as she worked to land a plane from 5,000 feet in the air.
Wolter was among three dozen students selected to take part in a two-day immersive program, allowing students from all over Kentucky to learn how to fly planes and explore career opportunities. She says she was shocked by all that flying planes entail.
She said. “I was never really interested in aviation before, and it’s like seeing all these planes and seeing all the pilots and all the stuff that they do. I think it’s really cool.”
Over the course of the two-day camp, students ages 10 to 17 will participate in classes taught by pilots certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Plus, they will tour a plane and even practice in a flight simulator. Wolter says this program has allowed her to explore other career options as a young lady.
Wolter said, "I’ve seen a couple girls and I think it’s really cool that, like, I can really be comfortable here being in like an engineering like pilot, really mechanical part where it’s like kind of a male-dominated field."
CVG Airport spokesperson Mindy Kershner agrees with Wolter. CVG and the Aviation Museum are working to increase diversity in aviation by holding scholarship spots for the program.
Kershner said, "This is the first time we’re hosting to two-day camps, and we had about 23 in this scholarship program. And that was intended to do is to get students here for the first time, but also those opportunity students. So those young girls and women and really trying to bring a more diverse population into our industry.”
According to the FAA, women make up less than 20% of aviation workforce, but Wolter said inclusive spaces will help others explore new careers.
Wolter said, "Aviation is like literally for everybody. Like anybody can do it. You put in the work; you can do it.”