A group of aspiring young aviators from Clayfield swapped their school desks for the controls of a passenger jet as part of a special initiative designed to launch more women into the Australian aviation industry.
The event took place last week as part of an annual initiative timed to coincide with International Women’s Day. While students from southeast Queensland have participated before, the most recent session saw the flight path expand to include teenagers from regional hubs like Townsville, Rockhampton, and Mackay.
These students traveled to the airline’s Brisbane headquarters to explore career paths that have historically seen low numbers of female workers, specifically in the areas of heavy aircraft maintenance and flight deck operations.
Hands-on Experience in the Hangar
The visiting students moved beyond the passenger terminal to see how massive aircraft are maintained and managed. One participant from Indooroopilly described the visit to the Brisbane flight simulator as a highlight that she would always remember, noting that the experience allowed her to build new friendships with peers from her own school while exploring the technology.
Another student expressed her excitement at visiting the maintenance hangar, where she even had the chance to test safety equipment like oxygen masks. For some, the day was also a personal milestone, providing an opportunity to see their parents working in professional aviation environments.
New Technology and Future Careers
A major feature of the day involved a tour of the newest Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft, which had only just arrived in the country. This specific plane represents a shift toward more sustainable travel, as it is designed to use 19 per cent less fuel and produce 40 per cent less noise than older models.
By showing students in Years 8, 9, and 10 this high-tech equipment, organisers hope to spark an interest in engineering before the girls choose their final school subjects. A student from Townsville mentioned that although she was still deciding on a career, she was particularly interested in learning the high standards required to keep planes safe and airworthy.
Building Industry Connections
The day concluded with a deep dive into the airline’s Integrated Operations Centre, which acts as the nerve centre for managing flights in real time. Industry leaders explained that by reaching out to students in their early high school years, the aviation sector can show that roles in the cockpit or the engineering bay are realistic and achievable goals.
The event, held in partnership with the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Programme, finished with a panel where professional women shared their experiences. This helped the students see a clear map of how to move from the classroom to a professional career in the sky.
Published Date 25-March-2026
