Breaking the Barrier: AirCare II Celebrates Women in Aviation Week
3.7.2025
Pilot Andrea Papp reflects on her career in aviation in hopes to inspire the next generation of women aviators.
With less than 10 percent of pilots in the United States being women, the aviation industry is experiencing a critical gender gap that not only limits opportunities for aspiring female aviators but also exacerbates the ongoing pilot shortage. In emergency medical services, where every second counts, the availability of air medical pilots can be the difference between life and death.
In an effort to close this gap and amplify the opportunities offered to women through a career in aviation, Women of Aviation Week was created. This global initiative, which is celebrated each year during the week of March 8, marks the anniversary of the first female pilot’s license. For AirCare II Pilot Andrea Papp, Women of Aviation Week is a time to reflect on her own groundbreaking journey in aviation and how she can continue to contribute to the solution.
“While I have never truly felt any biases with my male coworkers throughout my career – the data is clear. There is still plenty of potential for women to thrive in aviation and EMS,” said Papp. “I also think this is one of the most fulfilling and exciting jobs a person can have, so my hope is for more women to have the experiences and growth it has allowed for me.”
Knowing she was called to a life of serving others, Andrea began her career in the military as a medic in the Army where she eventually realized that her true calling was to be a pilot. She would go on to spend the rest of her military career flying UH60s in multiple deployments spanning many countries until her retirement from the military in 2009. In 2010, Andrea found herself eager to fly again.
“Being able to play a role in saving someone’s life will never get old,” adds Papp. “Two of my greatest passions are helping others and flying, so when I found myself looking for my next adventure post-military, I wanted a job that would allow me both of those things—EMS was the clear path forward.”
Andrea joined Med Trans Corporation, a division of Global Medical Response (GMR), in 2010 and has worked as an air medical pilot at multiple bases throughout the years. She is currently serving as the first and only female pilot at the AirCare II base in Eufaula. GMR is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the women within the EMS and aviation industries. The GMR guiding principle of “One Team” drives the understanding that our mission of providing care at a moment’s notice cannot be done alone.
“This has been a fulfilling career path for me, but due to the nature of this job, there may always be a challenge in filling the gap. My hope is that our stories can bring to light career paths for other women that perhaps were never considered before. For example, Sarah Patton is our base mechanic in Eufaula, and she is not only a critical member of the team, she is another wonderful example of taking on a challenging career that is often overlooked by women. I am proud to work alongside strong women like her.”
For more information on career opportunities with GMR, please visit gmr.net/careers.
In an effort to close this gap and amplify the opportunities offered to women through a career in aviation, Women of Aviation Week was created. This global initiative, which is celebrated each year during the week of March 8, marks the anniversary of the first female pilot’s license. For AirCare II Pilot Andrea Papp, Women of Aviation Week is a time to reflect on her own groundbreaking journey in aviation and how she can continue to contribute to the solution.
“While I have never truly felt any biases with my male coworkers throughout my career – the data is clear. There is still plenty of potential for women to thrive in aviation and EMS,” said Papp. “I also think this is one of the most fulfilling and exciting jobs a person can have, so my hope is for more women to have the experiences and growth it has allowed for me.”
Knowing she was called to a life of serving others, Andrea began her career in the military as a medic in the Army where she eventually realized that her true calling was to be a pilot. She would go on to spend the rest of her military career flying UH60s in multiple deployments spanning many countries until her retirement from the military in 2009. In 2010, Andrea found herself eager to fly again.
“Being able to play a role in saving someone’s life will never get old,” adds Papp. “Two of my greatest passions are helping others and flying, so when I found myself looking for my next adventure post-military, I wanted a job that would allow me both of those things—EMS was the clear path forward.”
Andrea joined Med Trans Corporation, a division of Global Medical Response (GMR), in 2010 and has worked as an air medical pilot at multiple bases throughout the years. She is currently serving as the first and only female pilot at the AirCare II base in Eufaula. GMR is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the women within the EMS and aviation industries. The GMR guiding principle of “One Team” drives the understanding that our mission of providing care at a moment’s notice cannot be done alone.
“This has been a fulfilling career path for me, but due to the nature of this job, there may always be a challenge in filling the gap. My hope is that our stories can bring to light career paths for other women that perhaps were never considered before. For example, Sarah Patton is our base mechanic in Eufaula, and she is not only a critical member of the team, she is another wonderful example of taking on a challenging career that is often overlooked by women. I am proud to work alongside strong women like her.”
For more information on career opportunities with GMR, please visit gmr.net/careers.
