Education Sessions (times, room assignments and sessions are subject to change)

Friday, March 24

2:00 - 2:50 pm

FAA Airports Panel
Bayou A/B
Dennis E. Roberts, Moderator
Linda Berkowitz, Airport Certification
Carol Key, Airport Engineering
Carolyn Read, Airport Planning
Nan Shellabarger, Airport Financing
Jackie Sweatt-Essick, Environmental

This panel will discuss current trends and future developments associated with U.S. Airports. Panelists will also discuss experiences within their specialty areas, major project responsibilities, accomplishments and insights on career opportunities.

Women’s Health Issues and Their Implications for Aeromedical Certification: Tips and Common Pitfalls
Bayou C/D
Dr. Phillip E. Parker, M.D. MPH of Virtual Flight Surgeons

This open forum will address many the many factors contributing to the aeromedical certification process, and identify some of the more common mistakes women make filling out the medical form. It will also present some of the resources available to women with questions about how their health treatments might affect their FAA medical status.


Getting Ahead Together: How Aviation Can Address the Human Side of Change
Canal C/D
Kaye Shackford, Vice-President, The Mattford Group

Most of what we’ve been taught about career success is wrong. A useful definition must encompass the whole of your life. How can you win by working with others, in ways consistent with your own values, to realize your organization’s objectives. What does it take to succeed in today’s aviation environment? These and other questions concerning career change within aviation will be addressed.

Corporate Aviation Panel
Bayou E
Gay Williams, Gulfstream V captain with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Moderator

This panel will present information concerning business and corporate aviation careers. You will hear information about the following career opportunities: FBO Manager, Aviation Law, Writer, Technician (A&P), Dispatcher, Flight Attendant, Customer Service, Customer Support, Sales, Job Placement, Manufacturing, and Line personnel.

Tongue Fu: How to Control the Bullies in Your Life
Bayou E
Tweet Coleman, Communication Coach

This interactive workshop will give participants real-life strategies on how to handle adult bullying and understand the nature of bullying in children. It will show hot to break the cycle of bullying, learn how to act in a positive way instead of suffering inn silence and ways to create your own bully-prevention program.

Organizing a Women in Aviation International Chapter
Canal B
Gerri Schultz, Chapter Relations Manager, Women in Aviation International
Members interested in starting chapters are encouraged to attend this session. You will receive information about organizing your first meeting, gaining provisional chapter status and taking the steps necessary to become an official chapter. Current chapter officers interested in mentoring new chapters are also invited to attend.

3:00 – 3:50

Air Refueling: Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas
Bayou A/B
KC 135 Aircrew: Janelle Labron, Jeanette Moore, Michelle Pfaff

Air refueling (A/R) is a unique military procedure. Many people wonder: “How do they do that?” This KC-135 aircrew will discuss their A/R experiences and shed some light on how the mission is accomplished everyday. Topics will include a brief history, the current tanker mission, procedures, capabilities, fun fact, hazards and a Q & A.

The Dream of Personal Spaceflight: Wally Funk’s Continuing Quest
Bayou C/D
Wally Funk

This presentation will allow Wally Funk to discuss her continuing quest to travel into space. Funk will also share her history as one of 13 women tested for space flight in the 1960s.

Skirt Trails
Canal C/D
Karen Cooper and Peggy Holly, The Boeing Company

Are you an unintended “trail blazer?” Help the next generation of women continue the adventure more productively. The speakers of this session will address positive impact of role-modeling, educational outreach, and professional organization membership. Learn educational, motivational and mentoring tools to guide others along the way.

Fly Again with Three WAFS Legends: Fort, Sharp and Batson
Bayou E
Rob Simbeck, Author of Daughter of the Air
Diane Bartles, Author of Sharpie, The Life Story of Evelyn Sharp
Sarah Rickman, Author of The Originals, The Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron of World War II

Writing about a legend: WAFS Authors Rob Simbeck, Dinae Bartles and Sarah Rickman search for the REAL woman behind the myth in discussing Cornelia Fort, Evelyn Sharp and Nancy Batson. Two died young, one lived to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Preventing Hearback/Readback Erros in the ATC System: Pilot and Controller Responsibilities
Canal A
Robert K. Jones, Operations Manager, Boston ARTCC

This workshop will examine several recent Hearback/Readback errors that have contributed to a loss of standard separation. The events will be broken down and discussed with emphasis on how each one might have been prevented. In addition the best practices for communication from both the controllers and pilots viewpoints will be examined.

Living with Your Airplane: Dream or Disaster?
Canal B
Dr. Noel Marshall

Have you ever dreamed of living with your airplane? This presentation will present information concerning the pluses and minuses of just such a scenario. The first part will deal with “How do I buy one?” The second part will deal with “Careful what you wish for?”

4:00 – 4:50

Pilot Career Panel
Bayou A/B
Becky Howell, Southwest Airlines , Moderator
Ava Sumpter-Shubat, Corporate Pilot for a Fortune 500 Company
Tracy Leonard, NetJets pilot
Mona Kates, jetBlue
Cathy Garrick, UPS

This panel will present pilot career information from the airlines, corporate realm, fractional carriers, and freight carriers. Being a professional pilot crosses many boundaries and each of these pilots has had experiences in many factions of aviation.

Today’s Rosie the Riveter
Bayou C/D
Susan Kranz, Bessie J. Hamilton, Linda Johnson-Pirtle, Jose Lockett.
Sharon Beauclair, Debbie Lackey - The Boeing Company

This hands-on simulation will demonstrate the very basics of sheet metal work. Participants will assemble a small sheet metal airplane using techniques taught by Boeing shop floor workers. The participants will also get an overview of the new technology used today, safety and ergonomic improvements, and the tole of Today’s Rosie the Riveter.

Selling Yourself in Interviews
Canal C/D
Judy Tarver, President: J.A. Tarver & Associations

Being prepared is tantamount to succeeding in an interview. Ms. Tarver will cover the basic in selling yourself while still being yourself in an interview. She will cover how to dress, how to act, interview tactics, building your stories, overcoming obstacles and the critical characteristics that are evaluated by an interviewer.

Thinking of Transitioning from a Military Flying Career to a Civilian One?
Bayou E
Terry VandenDoler, Heather Ross, Kay Yakubowsky and Trish Beckman

The most common ways to transition from military to civilian careers are via retirement, reserve military careers or directly to civilian status. These panelists will discuss their successful transition strategies.

Transitioning from Commerical to the Corporate/Business Flight Attendant World
Canal A
Susan C. Friedenberg, President, Corporate Flight Attendant Training

This presentation will focus on WHO the corporate/business aviation flight attendant is and the distinctions between a full time position and contract flying. What does an aviation department look for when they are searching for the right candidate? How does a candidate come to an interview prepared for that flight department’s culture and SOPs? What training is needed to be the best possible candidate? All of these questions will be dealt with.

Aviation Center Education (ACE) Camps
Canal B
Cheri Rohlfing

Specific Description is coming

Saturday, March 25

1:45 – 2:35 pm

WASP Panel
Bayou A/B

THIS SESSION WILL RUN FROM 1:45 TO 3:45 AS A DOUBLE SESSION

Come hear members of the Womens Airforce Service Pilots share their stories. They were the first women to fly military aircraft, and they proved we could do it, and do it well.

Flying Left Seat: Passing Your Next Medical
Bayou C/D
Arleen M. Saenger, MD, MPH
Acting Manager, Medical Appeals and Occupational Health Branch
Federal Aviation Administration

This presentation will explore the various aspects of obtaining a medical for flight training. Specific medical certification will be discussed along with the differences someone may encounter when physical disabilities are involved.

Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft: Opportunities for students, instructors and aircraft ownership.
Canal C/D
Mary Jones, Editor EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft magazine
Carol Carpenter, Co-owner & CFI, Rainbow Aviation Services

This session will explore the changes, additions and opportunities made available with the new Sport Pilot categories.

DOG Training for the International Space Station
Bayou E
Michelle Lucas, ISS Space Station Technical Trainer, NASA

No, we’re not talking about Laika, the Russian Space Dog! DOG stands for Daily Operations Group Training. Find out how the astronauts go about the day-to-day operation onboard the International Space Station. Learn how the ground conveys to them the activities they are supposed to do and how they find the items they ned in their new home, containing more than 20,000 tracked items.

Into the Sunlit Splendor: The Aviation Art of William Phillips
Canal A
Ann and Charlie Cooper

This workshop will explore the aviation art of William Phillips. Ann and Charlie Cooper will present Phillips new book of paintings accompanied by a wealth of aviation and military history. Phillips created the two sheets of aviation stamps for the US Postal Service, has been Resident Artist at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and is renowned in aviation circles.

Flight Attendant Careers: Corporate or Commercial
Canal B
Tim Kirkwood, Flight Attendant Trainer

Description is coming

2:45 – 3:35

CONTINUATION OF WASP Panel

Professional Pilots: Supply and Demand
Louis Smith, President; FLTops.com

Getting a job in commercial aviation requires more than stick-and-rudder skills. This workshop will concentrate on providing the most up-to-date information available to help pilots evaluate the industry.

Ground Vibration Testing of Airplanes
Canal C/D
Nancy L. Norris
Manger, Structural Dynamics Lab, The Boeing Company

Ground Vibration Testing (an FAA requirement) is a complicated endeavor requiring a diverse team of mechanics, technicians, engineers and analysts who must all work together on the test floor to ultimately define the vibration characteristics of a full-scale airplane while achieving a balance of cost vs. schedule in our business reality. Come and see how Boeing does it.

Benefits of Aerobatics
Bayou E
Vicki Cruse
President, International Aerobatic Club

Aerobatic training benefits general aviation pilots through a better knowledge of the flight envelope. Despite initial reservations, pilots who take aerobatic training often develop a sense of confidence in their flying skills they hadn’t previously experienced. The precision and skill of competition aerobatics and the US Team will also be discussed.

The Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
Canal A
Jay Hiles,Aviation Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration
Dr. William Johnson, Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Human Factors in Aircraft Maintenance Systems, Federal Aviation Administration

Written in response to industry requests for “simplified instructions” The Manual is a short and concise listing of six key factors on human factors in any maintenance organization. Dr. Johnson and Mr. Hiles will describe the document with explicit examples from selected chapters.

Aviation and Women in Europe
Canal B
Michelle Bassanessi

Description will follow.

3:45 – 4:35

Flying Drunk: A Personal Experience
Bayou A/B
Joe Balzer, former Northwest Airline Pilot
In this session Joe Balzer will present his role as a crewmember of the true story of three Northwest Airlines pilots who flew a commercial jet loaded with passengers while under the influence of alcohol. Within weeks of the incident this newlywed young man would lose his job, have his certificate to fly airplanes revoked by the FAA and find himself charge with Federal criminals charges for flying under the influence of alcohol.

Building an Airplane & Flying for Fun
Bayou C/D
Mary Jones, Editor EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft magazine
Dianne Wieman-Deyeso, Control Systems Engineer, Prime Controls
Sherry Parshley, Nancy Walters

Flying for fun is a great way to leave the cares of our workaday world behind. This session will explore the opportunities and camaraderie of the experience plus introducing you to the marvelous opportunity of building your own airplane. Women can do it!

Dealing with FAA Enforcements
Canal C/D
Lori Edwards, Attorney
Jackson, Wade & Blank L.L.C

This session presents an in depth look at the entire enforcement process, from the incident to the first point of contact with the FAA or DOT, through the administrative law process and finally to the aftermath and career-damage control actions that can be taken.

Navigating the Aviation Information Super Highway
Bayou E
Elizabeth Bjerke
Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota, Aviation Department

Unlike our male counterparts, women often do not hesitate to ask for directions when they are lost or unsure of where to go. Getting help in navigating the internet should be no different. This session will highlight various subject areas and website that can make navigating the internet educational , enjoyable and a lot less stressful for all aviation enthusiasts.

Human Aviation Physiology Made Fun
Canal A
Julieann Floyd, M.D.

What happens to your body when you fly? This session will deal with understanding the effects of spatial disorientation on a pilot’s body, why being healthy is important to pilots along with tips for staying healthy and keeping your medical certification.

Women in Charitable Aviation
Canal B
Judy Benjamin, Angel Flight

The roles of women pilots in charitable aviation will be discussed in this session. Benjamin will discuss her own experiences plus give a history of this subject. The future expansions of charitable aviation will also be covered.