AMI Celebrates Milestone with All-Female Flight Crews Across Entire Jet Fleet
7.15.2024
AirMed International is celebrating the successful deployment of all-female flight crews on all three types of jet aircraft in its fleet.
AirMed International (AMI), a leading provider of air medical transport services, is proudly celebrating a significant milestone in its history: the successful deployment of all-female flight crews on all three types of jet aircraft in its fleet. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the advancement of women in aviation.
For the first time, AirMed International has assembled all-female crews for its trio of jet aircraft: the Citation Bravo, the Beechjet 400A, and the Hawker 800XP. This accomplishment is not only a testament to the skill and dedication of the women involved but also a reflection of AirMed’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality within the aviation industry. “It’s an incredible honor to work alongside these talented women who exemplify professionalism and excellence,” said Darby Wix, VP of Aviation for AirMed International. “This milestone is a significant step forward for us as a company and for the broader aviation community.”
The aviation industry has historically been male dominated, with women representing a small percentage of pilots and crew members. According to the Pilot Institute, women account for only about 6.3% of all Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) certified pilots in the United States1. AirMed International’s commitment to excellence has always resulted in a highly selective candidate process to find the best candidate out of hundreds of applicants. The beneficiary of recent marked improvement in female representation within the aviation industry, AirMed International now boasts a pilot group where female aviators account for 20% of total staffing.
AirMed International’s awareness of the benefits to diversity and inclusion is woven into the fabric of the company’s culture. The company has implemented several programs to encourage more women to pursue careers in aviation, including targeted recruitment efforts, mentorship programs, scholarships, and partnerships with organizations dedicated to supporting women in the field. “Our goal is to create a more inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Wix. “We believe that diversity brings strength to our team and enhances the quality of service we provide to our patients.”
The all-female flight crews have demonstrated outstanding competence and dedication, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care during transport. Their success sets a new benchmark for excellence within the company and the industry at large.
Captain Josh Kalil, Chief Pilot at AirMed International, who played a pivotal role in hiring and overseeing the development of these crews, expressed his pride: “These professionals have shown exceptional skill, determination, and remarkable commitment to their craft; earning them this opportunity. It has been a joy to oversee this change in industry dynamics and to come along side these aviators in mentoring and guiding them through their training. Their success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and their personal commitment to excellence. We celebrate them embodying the AirMed ethos by living out ‘being the best part of someone’s worst day.’”
AirMed International’s celebration of all-female flight crews is just the beginning of its efforts to promote gender diversity in aviation. The company plans to continue its initiatives to support women in aviation and to inspire future generations of female pilots and crew members. “Our journey doesn’t end here,” said Captain Garner, who chairs the local chapter of Women in Aviation International. “We hope to inspire young girls and women everywhere to dream big and pursue careers in aviation. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive future for the industry.”
As AirMed International celebrates this remarkable achievement, it remains dedicated to its mission of providing unparalleled air medical transport services while fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. This milestone is a shining example of what can be achieved when talent, dedication, and opportunity converge. For more information about AirMed International and its services, please visit www.airmed.com.
For the first time, AirMed International has assembled all-female crews for its trio of jet aircraft: the Citation Bravo, the Beechjet 400A, and the Hawker 800XP. This accomplishment is not only a testament to the skill and dedication of the women involved but also a reflection of AirMed’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality within the aviation industry. “It’s an incredible honor to work alongside these talented women who exemplify professionalism and excellence,” said Darby Wix, VP of Aviation for AirMed International. “This milestone is a significant step forward for us as a company and for the broader aviation community.”
The aviation industry has historically been male dominated, with women representing a small percentage of pilots and crew members. According to the Pilot Institute, women account for only about 6.3% of all Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) certified pilots in the United States1. AirMed International’s commitment to excellence has always resulted in a highly selective candidate process to find the best candidate out of hundreds of applicants. The beneficiary of recent marked improvement in female representation within the aviation industry, AirMed International now boasts a pilot group where female aviators account for 20% of total staffing.
AirMed International’s awareness of the benefits to diversity and inclusion is woven into the fabric of the company’s culture. The company has implemented several programs to encourage more women to pursue careers in aviation, including targeted recruitment efforts, mentorship programs, scholarships, and partnerships with organizations dedicated to supporting women in the field. “Our goal is to create a more inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Wix. “We believe that diversity brings strength to our team and enhances the quality of service we provide to our patients.”
The all-female flight crews have demonstrated outstanding competence and dedication, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care during transport. Their success sets a new benchmark for excellence within the company and the industry at large.
Captain Josh Kalil, Chief Pilot at AirMed International, who played a pivotal role in hiring and overseeing the development of these crews, expressed his pride: “These professionals have shown exceptional skill, determination, and remarkable commitment to their craft; earning them this opportunity. It has been a joy to oversee this change in industry dynamics and to come along side these aviators in mentoring and guiding them through their training. Their success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and their personal commitment to excellence. We celebrate them embodying the AirMed ethos by living out ‘being the best part of someone’s worst day.’”
AirMed International’s celebration of all-female flight crews is just the beginning of its efforts to promote gender diversity in aviation. The company plans to continue its initiatives to support women in aviation and to inspire future generations of female pilots and crew members. “Our journey doesn’t end here,” said Captain Garner, who chairs the local chapter of Women in Aviation International. “We hope to inspire young girls and women everywhere to dream big and pursue careers in aviation. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive future for the industry.”
As AirMed International celebrates this remarkable achievement, it remains dedicated to its mission of providing unparalleled air medical transport services while fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. This milestone is a shining example of what can be achieved when talent, dedication, and opportunity converge. For more information about AirMed International and its services, please visit www.airmed.com.
1 Women Pilot Statistics: Female Representation in Aviation - Pilot Institute
