PIA Exec Appointed by U.S. Dept. of Transportation to New Board Encouraging Women in Aviation

Suzanne Markle, President and CEO of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, has been appointed as a member of a newly-formed advisory board tasked with encouraging women’s involvement in the aviation industry.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced Ms. Markle’s appointment along with other board members to the newly-formed Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB). 

WIAAB’s mission is to assess education, training, mentorship opportunities, outreach, and recruitment of women into the aviation industry. Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson will serve as chair of the board.

According to the Aviation Technician Education Council’s Annual Pipeline Report, females make up 2.52% of the certified mechanics in the FAA airmen database, a number that has been slowly increasing over several years. 

WIAAB board members represent a wide-range of aviation organizations, including major airlines, non-profits, airports, and institutions of higher education. 

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to represent Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics on the Women in Aviation Advisory Board,” says Markle.  “The Aviation industry represents one of the world’s largest infrastructures and provides some of the most rewarding and lucrative careers available.  Therefore, no group should be underrepresented.  I believe there is much we can do to encourage women to explore these opportunities and to identify and remove barriers to their success. I look forward to working with the accomplished membership on this board, and I hope to make some meaningful contributions to its mission.”

Board members represent a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, including those from major airlines and aerospace companies, nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry, aviation and engineering business associations, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, and institutions of higher education and aviation trade schools. 

A full list of appointees and their biographies is available here.

“From Secretary Chao to the several women on my senior leadership team, and the more than 10,000 women in the FAA, we see the professionalism and contributions that make our aviation industry the gold standard for the world every day,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “We salute the WIAAB’s new board members for their commitment to illuminate this career path for more women.”

Members will be appointed to the WIAAB for the duration of its existence, which is anticipated to be a minimum of 2 years, and will meet up to two times per year to carry out its duties.