Australian Aviation: Sky’s The Limit

We have now released our first eight episodes, jam-packed with stories, insight and information from some of Australia’s top female aviators. 

Among the star-studded lineup of guests so far is pioneering female aviator Deborah Lawrie. Undoubtedly a name you’ve heard before, Lawrie was Australia’s first female pilot for a major commercial airline, following a years-long battle with Ansett Airlines that made it all the way to the High Court. 

She joined us to discuss the details of the case, as well as her early career in aviation, and the barriers that still permeate through the aviation industry to this day for women.

Most recently, we sat down with the Australian Federation of Air Pilots president Louise Pole, in our most frank and honest conversation to date. After being elected as president in 2018, Pole became the first woman in Australia to lead a pilots’ union, and the second female pilot union boss in the entire world. 

She spoke candidly about the real challenges that she and her female colleagues have experienced since she began flying in the 1980s, and how the female experience in aviation has changed over the past three decades. 

Along with Lawrie and Pole, we’ve spoken with Royal Australian Air Force Roulette Seven Aimee Heal, the second-ever female to join the ranks of the Roulettes and the only current female on the team, as well as Textron Aviation’s Jodie Bevan, whose career spans from aerobatic piloting, owning her own aviation business, to rising through the ranks of Textron. 

As you can see, we’ve spoken to some incredible women across the aviation, space and defence industries, to gain their insights into career progression and overcoming adversity and barriers. And we’re still just getting started! 

So come join us on our journey and learn from some of Australia’s biggest female aviation stars, from captains, scientists, historians, advisors and key decision-makers, to those fighting for change. 

You can tune in to Sky’s The Limit via the Australian Aviation Podcast Network, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or online at australianaviation.com.au. 

Plus – don’t be afraid to get involved! If you have a topic you’d like us to tackle, or a guest you’d love to see on an episode, send us an email at media@ australianaviation.com.au.