Women take the controls as perceptions, prejudices change

In the 1920s, the legendary female aviator Amelia Earhart obtained her pilot's license and embarked on a life full of adventures, becoming one of the first women in the world to enter the aviation industry. Over the past century, she has become a cultural icon, inspiring thousands of women across the globe.

However, more than 100 years later, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, female pilots in China still remain something of a mystery.

During a discussion about this topic, a colleague asked me if I had ever encountered a female captain during my flights. She also asked how I would feel if I heard a woman's voice coming from the captain's seat.

I had never considered the question in that way, and after careful contemplation, I realized that I couldn't recall hearing a female airline captain. It is still a maledominated profession. In China's airline companies, the number of female pilots remains less than 1.5 percent, official data indicates.

When I met two female pilots, Huang He and Lin Tong, I was immediately drawn to them. Both had striking features, were elegant, and had the poise of models. Dressed in impeccable uniforms, when they spoke, both did so with an unwavering focus and sincerity. Even when answering tough questions they remained composed, pausing briefly to organize their thoughts before delivering articulate responses.

Both pilots are from Air China, one of the country's largest airline companies and the national flag carrier. Most female pilots in China are employed by major airline companies. Company data showed that Air China has about 80 female pilots. Data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China showed that as of the end of last year, the country had 843 female pilots with commercial flight licenses.

With nearly 20 years of flying experience, Huang, 42, represents the first generation of female pilots in China's civil aviation sector. In contrast, Lin, 29, symbolizes the new generation, having commenced her flying career in 2021.

Both women are outgoing, mentally tough, and adept at providing logical responses, characteristics they developed when they were young.

Their families have been staunchly supportive of their careers. When concerns about the safety of the profession were raised by some of Huang's relatives and friends, her mother responded by saying air travel is the safest mode of transportation in the world.

Lin also hails from a progressive family that has consistently supported her decisions.

"In my hometown, most parents encourage girls to pursue education within the province instead of venturing far from home. However, my parents never doubted me; they have always been supportive of all my decisions, including my choice to become a pilot," Lin said.

Born in a small town in Shandong province, Lin made the decision to attend college in Xiamen, Fujian province, over 1,000 kilometers away from her home.

While both pilots have a lot in common, they have each faced their own challenges.

When Huang began her career, there were few female trainees in China's civil aviation industry, and captains had never flown with female colleagues. They were unsure how to train them. Huang and other female pilots had to demonstrate their strength and professionalism to earn respect.

When Lin began her training, her captains had been trained by former female colleagues. But as China's civil aviation industry has grown, competition for jobs has intensified for Lin's generation.

Huang completed her pilot training in two years and swiftly joined the company to commence flying. In contrast, Lin's training took about four years due to a more developed and intricate training system. The path to becoming a captain has also become more competitive. In a field where the average transition from co-pilot to captain typically takes five to eight years, this period has now been extended to eight to 10 years.

Huang took about five years to move from co-pilot to captain, and her rapid rise was a result of seizing opportunities when China began training more pilots for its civil aviation industry.

Lin's trajectory might take longer, not because she is inferior to Huang, but due to the more rigorous training she has undergone. While training in Australia, Lin received certification from the local civil aviation authority, and was the second-ranked woman in the national test.

"With the booming development of the civil aviation industry, the number of pilots is increasing, and it is becoming more competitive. Therefore, whether I can become a captain and how long it will take are unknown. However, I will work hard and continuously strive toward the goal of becoming a captain," Lin said.

Their passion for flying deeply moved me. Huang described being a pilot as a remarkable experience and encouraged those who are interested in it to bravely pursue it as a career. Lin, a resilient co-pilot, said that flying represents freedom.

When Huang trained in the United States 20 years ago, she said that seeing female pilots was a common occurrence.

"It's not a big deal there, and now in China, female pilots have become more common as well," she said, emphasizing the progress in gender equality.

In China, more professional women like Huang and Lin are breaking into male-dominated professions, serving as inspirations for others.

From now on, I will pay more attention to the captain's announcements in the cabin and look forward to hearing more women's voices soon.