Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviators
On September 19, Axis Air was proud to host Girls in Aviation Day at Oxnard Airport, welcoming 32 young girls and 15 chaperones for a morning of hands-on learning, discovery, and aviation exploration.
Hosted at Axis Air as part of the 12th Annual Girls in Aviation Day, the event joined hundreds of similar programs taking place around the world through Women in Aviation International (WAI). Girls in Aviation Day is a global initiative designed to introduce young women to aviation and aerospace careers through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and industry exposure.
Locally, the event was organized by the Ventura County Chapter of The Ninety-Nines and led by pilot Rochelle Oslick, bringing together aviation professionals, volunteers, and community partners to help participants explore the many opportunities available within aviation.
Throughout the morning, girls of all ages had the opportunity to engage in activities designed to spark curiosity and encourage them to imagine a future in aviation.
Learning Through Hands-On Activities
Participants rotated through six aviation-themed activity stations, each designed to make aviation fun, interactive, and accessible.
Activities included:
- Building and testing parachutes
- Constructing balsa wood airplanes
- Creating aviation-themed bracelets
- Completing aviation coloring pages, word searches, crosswords, and connect-the-dot activities
- Learning air marshalling techniques used to guide aircraft on the ground
- Flying drones
These activities gave attendees the opportunity to explore aviation concepts in a hands-on environment while learning new skills.
Meeting Aviation Role Models
One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity for attendees to meet women actively involved in aviation.
Several local female pilots brought their aircraft to the airport and invited participants to sit in the cockpit, explore the controls, and experience what it’s like to sit in the pilot’s seat. For many girls, it was their first time inside a general aviation aircraft.
The event also benefited from the support of five student volunteers from the Royal High School JROTC program, who helped facilitate the drone flying activities. Three of the volunteers have already begun their own flight training journeys.
Part of a Global Movement
While the activities took place at Oxnard Airport, the impact reaches far beyond Ventura County.
Girls in Aviation Day is an annual worldwide initiative led by Women in Aviation International, connecting thousands of participants with aviation professionals, educational opportunities, and hands-on experiences designed to spark interest in aviation and aerospace careers. Events are hosted at airports, aviation museums, FBOs, and aviation facilities around the world, all with the shared goal of inspiring the next generation of aviation leaders.
Axis Air was proud to serve as a local host venue and support an event that encourages young people to imagine a future in aviation.
A Tour of the DC-3 Mainliner
Guests also had the opportunity to tour the historic DC-3 Mainliner, which is based at Axis Air.
As they walked through the aircraft and learned about its history, attendees gained a unique perspective on how aviation has evolved over the decades and the important role aircraft like the DC-3 played in shaping modern air travel.
The tour served as a reminder that aviation is built upon generations of innovation, exploration, and individuals who dared to dream of flight.
Looking Ahead
Girls in Aviation Day demonstrated the power of hands-on learning and the importance of creating pathways into aviation for future generations.
Axis Air is proud to support educational and community-focused events that bring people together through aviation. We look forward to hosting more opportunities for learning, exploration, and discovery in the future.
For information about upcoming events at Axis Air, contact us at [email protected] or join our newsletter for future announcements.
