Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is the International Society of Women Airline Pilots called ISA+21,
and not ISWAP?
In 1978 when ISA was founded, the original name was the International Social Affiliation of Women Airline Pilots. The founders wanted an acronym that some how symbolized their group and was also used in the aviation community. They chose to use ISA, also an acronym for International Standard Atmosphere, and the appendage of +21, acknowledging the original 21 members. (Used in aviation, ISA+21 would mean that the atmosphere was 21 degrees above standard.)

Over the years, the emphasis of the organization slowly melded into a professional as well as social organization and the members chose to stress that and changed "social" to "society".

When was the first woman airline pilot hired?
The first woman airline pilot was Helen Richey hired by Central Airlines, a United States airline, in 1934. She resigned 10 months later when the all-male pilots' union refused to accept her. Out of piloting work and nearly penniless, she committed suicide January 7, 1947. A woman airline pilot “Firsts” database is managed by the Ninety-Nines.

How many women airline pilots are there? In the US? Other countries?
This number is constantly changing and thankfully growing. Current estimates are approximate: 4000 women airline pilots worldwide, the majority in the United States. There are about 80,000 airline pilots worldwide.

How many of those women are Captains?
What with growing airlines, downsizing airlines, upstarts, and bankruptcies, we can only speculate that the number is around 450 women airline captains worldwide.

What is the percentage of women airline pilots to the total population
of airline pilots? And which airline has the best percentage?
The percentage of women airline pilots is about 5% worldwide. Aer Lingus has the best percentage of women pilots at this time. This is one of the fastest changing stats though and this may not be the latest stat when you are reading this.

Which airline has the most women pilots?
United Airlines has the most women pilots with 68 Captains, 401 First Officers and 44 Second Officers for a total of 513. The total seniority list is about 8800 pilots.

Are there strength or height minimum requirements
that women must meet?
In the early days of hiring women airline pilots, there were many tests that we had to submit to including strength tests. There was also a minimum height for pilots at most airlines. These requirements have mainly fallen by the wayside. The only requirement is that a prospective pilot can fly the simulator provided during the interview process, without undue problems due to height or strength (i.e. she can reach the rudder pedals and see over the dash, and she can control an airplane that has lost it's hydraulic systems used to facilitate flying).

Where can I get more information about becoming an airline pilot?
Check out ISA's "Tips for Becoming an Airline Pilot" or Contact ISA+21 to help guide you in your quest for an airline career.

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