Puntos Clave
• Northwest Flight Service y Escuelas Públicas de Spokane ofrecen formación aérea a chicas desde secundaria.
• Eventos como “Soaring Skies” y “Girls in Aviation Day” motivan a jóvenes a explorar carreras en aviación.
• Solo el 5% de pilotos comerciales son mujeres; estos programas incrementan participación femenina y liderazgo juvenil.
Northwest Flight Service is playing a very important role in helping more young women become pilots and work in the world of aviación. This field has usually been filled with more men than women, but things are changing thanks to programs, partnerships, and special events that make it easier for girls to learn, dream, and find their place in the skies. Here, we will look at how Northwest Flight Service, in working with Escuelas Públicas de Spokane and other groups, is leading the way.
Abriendo las puertas de la aviación a jóvenes mujeres
For many girls, the idea of flying a plane or controlling aircraft can seem out of reach. Northwest Flight Service is working hard to change this. The company is based at Felts Field, an airport in Spokane, United States 🇺🇸, where it offers programs that invite female students to try aviation for themselves. These programs are not just about looking at airplanes – they let students get into the cockpit, take flight lessons, and see what it’s like to build a career as a pilot.
One of the most important partnerships is the one with Escuelas Públicas de Spokane. This partnership gives high school students a chance to get real flight training and work towards earning their pilot’s license – something very rare for teens, especially girls.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this combination of access and encouragement makes a real difference in who sees a future in aviación.
Historias que inspiran: Katie y Evie rompen barreras
This movement is not just about groups or policies. It’s about real people. Two young women show how these opportunities can change lives.
First, there is Katie Dewitt, whose call sign is “Lugnut.” Katie has been flying planes since she was just 14 years old, a time when most teens are just learning to drive a car. Thanks to her training with Northwest Flight Service and the Escuelas Públicas de Spokane program, Katie already has over 12 hours of flight time. She has also passed the written test for her private pilot license, which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This means that, once she finishes her flying hours, she can become one of the youngest licensed pilots.
Then there is Evie Nesselrode, known as “Newton.” Like Katie, Evie has completed her written exam for her pilot license. She goes even further, acting as a helper and role model for other students in ground school, the part of pilot training that happens on the ground instead of in the air. Evie’s dream is to follow in the footsteps of her family by becoming a pilot in the Air Force; she plans to continue her training at the New Mexico Military Institute.
Stories like Katy’s and Evie’s show that with support and the right guidance, young women can reach new heights in aviación. They inspire other girls by showing what is possible, turning hope into action.
Cómo Northwest Flight Service apoya el aprendizaje
Part of what makes Northwest Flight Service special is the wide range of training options it gives to students. The company works with beginners and more advanced pilots. Their programs include:
- Private Pilot Ground School, where students learn everything from how to read maps to understanding weather. These classes are held at different times of the year to give more students a chance to join. The next classes will be from April 29 to July 10, 2025, and from July 22 to October 2, 2025.
- Training with real airplanes, including models like the Cirrus SR20 and Cessna 172, which are popular for learning because they are easy to handle but still offer a real flying experience.
- Step-by-step training, with clear paths for students to earn their Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Certified Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) certifications. This means a student can start with basic lessons and keep going until she is trained to fly large aircraft or even teach others.
- Experienced instructors, who are trained to help young people not just learn flying skills, but also build confidence and discipline.
All of these parts work together so that any young woman, even without connections to aviation, can see herself in the pilot’s seat someday.
Eventos para chicas: Abriendo mundos nuevos
Northwest Flight Service knows that sometimes all a girl needs is a little push or a special event to discover an interest in aviación. That’s why they take part in activities aimed especially at girls and young women.
One standout activity is the “Soaring Skies: Girls Aviation Adventure.” This event is open to girls ages 10 to 18. They visit Felts Field, meet real pilots, get close to airplanes, and sometimes even take a short introductory flight. These events make flying seem possible and fun, and they also show girls that they are welcome.
Their efforts match a bigger movement around the world. For example, Girls in Aviation Day, led by the group Women in Aviation International, has become a major event every year. In 2024, more than 33,000 young people from 33 countries, including United States 🇺🇸, took part. These events help more girls see aviation as something for everyone, not just for boys or men.
Apoyando el crecimiento: Cambios en estadísticas y mentalidades
For a long time, aviación has been one of the most male-dominated jobs. Only about 5% of airline pilots today are women. It’s a slow process to change, but things are starting to look better.
For example, at the aviation program in Saint Louis University in United States 🇺🇸, the number of women in the first-year class now makes up about 25%. Just a few years ago, only 14% of seniors in the program were women. That’s an increase that can be traced back to outreach programs, encouragement in middle and high schools, and the kind of support given by companies like Northwest Flight Service and the Escuelas Públicas de Spokane.
These numbers mean a lot for the future. When more women become pilots or hold other jobs in aviación, they can act as mentors and help even more girls join the field. It also shows airlines and other employers that there is great talent in places they may not have looked before.
Mentores, orientación y apoyo diario
Having good examples and mentors is a major benefit of the Northwest Flight Service programs. It’s common for female students to get support not only from teachers, but also from other students, like Evie, who help lead ground school. This network gives girls someone to look up to, someone who understands their worries and can give simple advice.
Mentorship is about more than just passing along knowledge – it’s about lifting each other up and making the world of aviación feel more welcoming. When a new student comes to a class or an event, seeing other girls flying or leading lessons lets her know she’s not alone.
Industrias que cambian: Por qué esto importa
The changes happening because of Northwest Flight Service and its partners go far beyond Spokane or even United States 🇺🇸. When more women take part in aviación, it helps:
- Increase safety, because teams with people from different backgrounds often do better at solving problems.
- Make better decisions, since more voices are heard.
- Fill a need for new pilots – airlines need many more pilots in the coming years, and encouraging women doubles the pool of talent.
- Help girls feel confident in other parts of their lives, knowing they have done something hard and exciting.
In other words, these programs are not just training new pilots. They are giving young women skills and ideas that they will use for the rest of their lives.
Caminos claros para el futuro
If you or a young woman you know wants to see what it’s like to fly, getting started is easier now than it’s ever been. Northwest Flight Service offers clear information on how to join programs, what the requirements are, and what you’ll learn at each step. You can even find detailed details about their training paths and schedules on their official Northwest Flight Service website.
Enrollment often starts with ground school and a discovery flight. These first steps help students see if flying is something they enjoy and want to keep doing. Parents often find comfort in the careful, step-by-step approach, knowing their kids are learning safely in a supportive setting.
Programs are also set up to work around school schedules and activities. The partnership with Escuelas Públicas de Spokane means that students can earn high school credit while working toward their pilot’s license, which is something very few schools offer.
Support within the broader aviation community
The impact of Northwest Flight Service does not stop at Felts Field or even Spokane. By promoting events online, sharing student stories, and connecting with other groups in United States 🇺🇸 and other countries, the organization helps students realize that aviación is a global community.
Collaborations with national and international groups like Women in Aviation International mean that students can attend larger events, connect with role models from all backgrounds, and learn about scholarships or other resources. These ties become especially helpful later on, as students think about careers – whether that is as an airline pilot, flight instructor, engineer, or military aviator.
Other aviation schools and groups now look to the partnership between Northwest Flight Service and Escuelas Públicas de Spokane as an example to follow.
Overcoming barriers, creating possibilities
Many girls still face challenges when looking at a future in aviación. Some worry about the cost. Others think they need family connections in the industry. Still, others just don’t see anyone who looks like them in the field.
Northwest Flight Service is removing many of these barriers by:
- Offering mentorship and welcoming events specifically aimed at girls.
- Working with Escuelas Públicas de Spokane to bring opportunities straight to local schools.
- Promoting events through social media and local news, so all families hear about these options.
- Ensuring all training, even at the beginner’s level, happens in a professional, caring, and safe environment.
With support from parents, schools, and the aviation community, more young women are discovering that aviación is a place for them.
Conclusión: Un futuro brillante en la aviación
The story of Northwest Flight Service is one of hope, action, and real change. By opening doors, removing obstacles, and seeing possibility where others saw limits, this organization, together with Escuelas Públicas de Spokane and partner groups, is reshaping what it means to dream of flying.
For girls and young women – and their families – the message is clear: Whether you’re interested in piloting, engineering, or any field in aviación, there is a place for you. Programs like these prove that when opportunity meets determination, the sky is no longer the limit – it’s just the beginning.
To learn more about licensing and requirements for new pilots, you can visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s official pilot certification page. Keep in mind, the journey may start with a single flight, but, with the right support, there is no telling how far it can go.
Aprende Hoy
Licencia de Piloto Privado → Certificación oficial que permite a personas pilotear aviones tras completar exigencias de formación y aprobar exámenes.
Escuela de Tierra → Enseñanza teórica sobre aviación, normativas y navegación, requerida antes de las prácticas de vuelo en aeronaves.
Calificación de Instrumentos → Certificación adicional para volar guiándose sólo por instrumentos, útil con baja visibilidad o clima adverso.
Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA) → Agencia estadounidense que regula la aviación civil, licencias, seguridad y estándares aeronáuticos nacionales.
Mentoría → Relación de apoyo donde una persona con experiencia guía y apoya a estudiantes o jóvenes profesionales en su desarrollo.
Este Artículo en Resumen
Northwest Flight Service está impulsando que más mujeres jóvenes accedan a la aviación en Spokane. Junto a Escuelas Públicas de Spokane, permite a chicas volar y soñar grandes carreras. Instructores expertos y eventos especiales allanan el camino y demuestran que la aviación es un lugar posible para todas.
— Por VisaVerge.com
Leer más:
• Red de Solidaridad de Inmigrantes de Washington enfrenta empuje de deportación
