For A Woman (Pilot) Considering Missionary Aviation (Taken from a letter by Diana Dwelle)
I think the biggest considerations would involve family decisions. If she is married, or plans to be, it would be very important for both husband and wife to feel God's Call. A flight schedule is full, and the husband needs to understand and support the fact that his wife won't always be home! Also, as with all pilot spouses, he needs to come to terms with the potential hazards of missionary aviation. I wonder if this isn't harder for husband-spouses, because men are naturally more protective of women and lack the kind of support from other men that women are able to find among other women. Also, in my opinion, it would be very difficult to fly, at least full time, if there were children, at least while they are young. But this is a personal thing and each woman needs to prayerfully think this through for herself. Regarding the questions concerning loading and unloading, I have not found this to be a major problem in Nyankunde, Zaire. I have always enjoyed "physical labor" and most cargo is at least manageable, or else obviously too heavy for one person. There was always someone around who was more than willing to help, or you can almost always find a way (tool) to help move things. I must admit, however, it takes me a little longer than it would the other guys! I don't know yet whether more experience in loading will help speed this up or not. All of us in Nyankunde knew that turn-around took me longer. Part of this is probably personality! I'm more "easy-going" generally than some of the others, and I'm sure my inexperience played a big part as well. Flying the longer routes in Nyankunde was fatiguing - but here again, my lack of experience in this type of flying, trying to deal with passengers in two totally new languages, etc. plus all the other adjustments to being new contributed to this as well. I really can't say at this point whether as I gain experience and become more comfortable in the situations it will make a difference in my energy expenditure. I do know that I get tired more easily during certain times of the month. This would be true to varying degrees for many women pilots, and may need to become a consideration for scheduling purposes. As far as working relationships with the other pilots, I have not found it to be a problem. But I don't look for problems of that kind! Everyone is an individual, some of us are easier to get along with than others, but I feel that all relationships need to be looked at as person-to-person, giving everyone the "benefit of the doubt" if there is a perceived threat or offense! The woman pilot's attitude will make a lot of difference in how well she gets along with her co-workers. You mentioned the fact that some women have had hurt feelings because of real or felt prejudices from other pilots or organizations. I have known many women in many different occupations who have felt this way and have become bitter, and/or extremely defensive, thus adding to the problem. It's sad! I believe a person usually finds what she is looking for! If she is looking for prejudice against her, she will find it - sometimes even when it isn't really there. Also, possibly more women than men feel insecure without positive reinforcement from peers and so are more susceptible to hurt feelings, etc. so we build up defenses and carry a "chip on our shoulder". It's something we need to guard against.
I'm assuming that most of the women you will be talking to are young. They have probably grown up hearing the viewpoints of many women's activists and haven't had time to think through a Biblical view of what I feel boils down to a Christian attitude regarding these issues. So they will be more inclined to watch for and see incidents to call prejudice. A woman - or for that matter, anyone - considering missions, whether in aviation, or in any other ministry, must strive for a Christ-like attitude towards others, and a desire to serve. Aviation in general can be a pretty competitive field, where everyone compares themselves with everyone else and tries to prove they're "the best". In missionary aviation, we cannot have this attitude. Our whole focus is different. We must strive to do our best for God's glory, not for the recognition of man. (But I do confess, a little human recognition now and then is nice!!) So, I feel that maintaining a disciplined, positive attitude is important. For example, when you are new, you may feel that the other pilots are watching to see how good you really are - but just remember, you probably are watching to see how good they are, too! You don't need to interpret it as prejudice. (Even if it may be, it won't help to make an issue of it!) We must realize also, that there may be some people who will never be able to see past the fact that we're women, to the individuals we are, and we just have to accept it. We can't change that. But I have found that the great majority of people will accept us as individuals if we give them a chance. And we must realize that women pilots are, at least for now, somewhat unique, and many people (other women as well) will sometimes feel uncomfortable around us. We need to do what we can to make them feel at ease with us, by being ourselves, and not being defensive or accusing. In the long run, it doesn't matter if they think we're better or worse than men pilots. What matters is whether we are doing what God has called us to do, in the way He wants us to do it. We are His representatives both to the unsaved whom we hope to reach, and to other Christians, to whom we need to be a blessing and an encouragement for Christ's sake. In summing up, I guess what I'd like to say is that the most important thing is an assurance of God's call into missionary aviation. If he has called you, then you have the assurance that "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it!" I Thessalonians 5:24