Aviadoras – Association of Women Aviators of Brazil – AMAB
Introduction
The Brazilian Women Aviators Association (AMAB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the careers of female aviators. Through incentives, support, mentoring, training, integration, and networking, AMAB seeks to expand the reach and opportunities for women in aviation and STEM fields.
The initiative was born in 1998, from the desire to increase women’s participation and inclusion in aviation, inspired by pioneering aviators who share their experiences to help aspirants, young students and professionals. This cause is supported by the members, collaborators, sponsors, or donations.
Among the initiatives promoted by AMAB, the Annual Scholarship Competition and the D.A.M.A. program, The Girl in Aviation Day, stand out, offering lectures and discovery flights for girls interested in the area.
Purpose of the best practice/guidance
AMAB as an action to promote the careers of female aviators through incentives, assistance, mentoring, training, integration, and networking. In parallel with this work, the program shares its resources to expand its reach and opportunities, while promoting women’s careers in various fields of aviation, as well as in other STEM areas.
This initiative aims to encourage interest in aviation and aerospace engineering, providing valuable educational experiences and inspiring the next generation of female aviators and professionals in STEM fields.
Intended audience
The target audience, in general, are the female pilots.
From experienced women in the sector to school age girls who still dream of a career. The association holds specific events for girls aged 12-17 to inspire them in this area, while for student pilots there are opportunities for scholarships, mentoring and interaction with other pilots to promote networking.
The associates are divided into some categories, with:
- ASPIRANT: Girls between 12 and 17 years old, who are still at school.
- STARTER: This includes enthusiasts, student pilots, inactive pilots, and professionals from other aviation sectors, such as flight attendants, aircraft maintenance mechanics, flight controllers and airport agents.
- PREMIUM: This includes professional pilots from various areas of aviation, such as airline, executive, offshore and agricultural aviation pilots.
About AMAB
Aviadoras – Association of Women Aviators of Brazil – AMAB, is a non-profit organization, which started in 1998. The purpose of the initiative is to support the career of women in aviation, through incentive, assistance, mentoring, training, integration and networking. In parallel with this work, Aviadoras shares its means, seeking to amplify reach and opportunities, while promoting women’s careers in the various fields of aviation and related stem areas.
One of the AMAB’s subprograms is the D.A.M.A event, which is the Day: The Girl in Aviation, where girls aged 12-17 are selected to meet female pilots and to take an incentive flight, in a small single-engine aircraft, offering the opportunity to interact with active professionals.
D.A.M.A: The Girl in Aviation
This event embrace girls who dream of pursuing a career in aviation and STEM fields. In it, the girls chosen through a selection process have a day of aviation inspection and take their first incentive flight, learning the controls of the plane and having the opportunity to fly a small aircraft for the first time.
The action is already in its third edition and has been taking place since 2021.
Impacts
Since the foundation, the organization has generated positive impacts in the fight for gender equality, professional development and female inclusion in aviation, including:
Visibility of Women in Aviation: AMAB has helped to give a face and voice to women who work in all areas of aviation, from the cockpit to engineers and mechanics. Through campaigns and in-person events, the association inspires girls and women to see aviation as a possible path.
Support and Professional Representation: The association offers a support network among members, promoting the sharing of experiences, mentoring, career guidance and support when faced with challenges in the job market.
Partnerships with Schools and Organizations: AMAB has solid partnerships with educational institutions, companies and entities in the sector to promote affirmative actions and develop programs aimed at diversity and inclusion within the sector.
Scholarships: In 2025, at the VIII Meeting, AMAB awarded some of its members with scholarships, totaling nearly 100 scholarships since its inception.
Lessons learned
The trajectory of AMAB-Aviadoras offers lessons about representation and cultural transformation in aviation, promoting essential support networks. By creating a community among female aviators, the association shows that solidarity and sharing experiences strengthen professional trajectories and make the path less lonely.
The way AMAB uses social media, events and campaigns to tell stories, mobilize support and inspire other women demonstrates that visibility is a fundamental part of change.
Web link
https://www.aviadoras.org.br/
Contact
presidencia@aviadoras.com
Authors and Contributors
Kalina Milani – Founder/President
Download this resource