Annual Girls In Aviation Day Planned For CKB Airport

An event designed to get young girls interested in the state’s burgeoning aviation industry is coming to North Central West Virginia Saturday.  

The fifth annual Girls in Aviation Day will give the community an inside look into every aspect of the aviation industry Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m.  

The Mountain State chapter of the Women in Aviation International Organization is soaring into the old terminal of the North Central West Virginia Airport for the event, 2000 Aviation Way, Bridgeport. The airport’s new terminal opened to the public in August.  

“We have a really unique opportunity this year to use the old CKB terminal as our venue,” said Tracy Miller, president of the Mountain State Chapter. “It will give girls and attendees a chance to experience firsthand all kinds of things that happen at airport operations up close and personal, from being a passenger to what happens behind the scenes with our TSA agents, pilots, mechanics, and more.”   

Recent national and federal reports have outlined the need to boost specializations in the aviation industry. Due to a national shortage of 17,000 technicians and mechanics in North America – a shortfall that is projected to peak in 2028 at approximately 30,000 – aggressive efforts are underway across the country to meet this demand.  
   
Even though advances in technology offer some relief, the Federal Aviation Administration reports a target of more than 12,000 air traffic controllers needed to properly support the airline industry.   

Local companies, education partners, and volunteers will continue to be a vital part in the process as they represent those experiences. They will host activities that cover a wide range of topics, from a mock pre-flight aircraft check to a worldwide airport codes quiz and countless others in between. There will also be a photobooth, face painting, swag giveaways, and plenty of other excitement along the way.    

“From the ticket counter to the tarmac, participants will get to see all different parts of the old terminal,” said Shawn Long, deputy director of the North Central West Virginia Airport. “It’s going to be a really great way for kids to see what aviation is all about, and we’re thrilled to be able to support the event in such a big way this year.”  

While the event is geared toward middle and high school-age girls, it is open to all children up to the age of 18, all of whom must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  All participants, both children and adults, must pre-register to attend at https://tinyurl.com/s9e6seey.  

Marshall University Women in Aviation and West Virginia International Yeager Airport hosted another Girls in Aviation Day in September.