Oshkosh airshow: Women take center stage at 'fly-in'

Aviation enthusiasts from around the world are gathered in Oshkosh, Wis., this week for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016.

Hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association and held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, the fly-in convention is billed as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and offers its more-than-500,000 annual attendees a chance to see over 10,000 aircraft – everything from home-built planes to ultralights, vintage aircraft, historic warbirds, modern military aircraft and a variety of rare, one-of-a-kind and, often, quirky flying machines.

Large commercial planes aren’t advertised attendees at the airshow, but some are making an appearance in Oshkosh. Tuesday saw JetBlue bring an Airbus A321 aircraft (named ‘BluesMobile’) – the first Airbus airliner built in the United States.

MORE FROM OSHKOSH: Chinese woman to fly solo around the world

MORE ON OSHKOSH: Full USA TODAY NETWORK coverage of the airshow

And on Wednesday, Alaska Airlines did a "fly-in" with its a Boeing 737-900ER. Dubbed ‘Celebration of Boeing,’ it bears a paint scheme paying homage to Boeing’s centennial year.

“Boeing is the major sponsor of the airshow this year and Alaska has a newly painted Boeing-themed plane, so we thought it would be a good idea to take the plane to the show,” said Tammy Young, vice president of Human Resources for Alaska Airlines group.

“But then we thought, ‘Who should come along?’ and we decided to make the flight to Oshkosh a celebration of the show’s Women in Aviation Day.”

The special flight, which left Seattle for Oshkosh at around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning and returned at 8:30 p.m., had an all-female crew and a passenger list that included top female executives and other women from key positions from Alaska Airlines, sister carrier Horizon Air and Boeing. Also included: women representing Virgin America, the airline Alaska Airlines is in the midst of acquiring.

“This was a chance for women to form connections across the four companies,” said Young.

But, as part of an ongoing effort to attract more women to pursue the wide range of jobs in the field of aviation, invites also went out to Seattle-area community groups working with young women who have expressed an interest in the field.

MORE FROM OSHKOSH: Aviation sisterhood connects at WomenVenture

Alaska Air unveils special 737 painted to honor Boeing's centennial

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to attend the show and have what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to visit a flight deck, see an all-female crew at work and meet airline professionals,” said Young.

About 25 young women – and a few young men – from aviation-centric youth groups around Seattle ended up on the flight. And, like 18 year-old Sadera Hellene, who intends to be a pilot, most had a chance to spend some time in the cockpit during the flight.

“I’ve always wanted to see what the pilots see,” said Hellene. She also was impressed with the aircraft and advances in aviation technology she saw on the ground in Oshkosh and thrilled with the aerobatics she witnessed during the afternoon airshow.

“It was so cool,” said Hellene, “especially the woman pilot who got out on the wings of the plane.”

Erika Ramos, a junior in high school who volunteers at Seattle’s Museum of Flight and wants to be an air traffic controller, was also impressed with the aerobatics performances.

“But I also liked meeting women who are succeeding in aviation-related careers,” she said.

And Citlalli Garcia just turned 15 and wants to be an Air Force pilot. She enjoyed seeing all the different planes at the show and hearing a presentation from Navy F-14 pilot Lt. Cmdr. Meaghan Flannigan. As for the flights to and from the show, Garcia said it was “awesome” being on the flight to Oshkosh with so many women pilots in their crisp Alaska and Horizon Air uniforms.

“I can’t wait to fly,” said Garcia, “If they can get there, I can get there. I know I just have to work hard.”

Harriet Baskas is a Seattle-based airports and aviation writer and USA TODAY Travel's "At the Airport" columnist. She occasionally contributes to Ben Mutzabaugh's Today in the Sky blog. Follow her at twitter.com/hbaskas.