Sarina Larson Idaho Statesman
Girls in Boise Have an Opportunity to Explore a Future in Flying | Opinion
August 27, 2025
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  • I fell in love with flying when I was 15 years old right here in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. My dad’s friend, Jerry — who I later learned was a legendary local flight instructor — nonchalantly offered me an airplane ride one summer morning. I had no idea it would change the course of my life. Jerry said something that day that I’ll never forget: “You know, girls make good pilots. They’re often less impulsive and more thoughtful than men.” 

    As I processed his words over the hum of the engine and the view of the mountains below, a light switched on in my head. Until then, I thought flying was something men did. Jerry helped me see that I could belong in aviation too. But my path from that airplane ride to pursuing an aviation career was anything but simple. 

    Flight training costs are high. Mentorship is limited, especially in rural or smaller communities. Often, the young people who succeed are those with family ties in aviation or the financial ability to fund years of training. I had neither. Today, the aviation industry needs new talent more than ever. Boeing projects that by 2042, the United States will need 127,000 new pilots and 135,000 new Airframe and Powerplant mechanics to maintain and expand the nation’s fleets. 

    Meanwhile, the FAA is short 3,000 air traffic controllers, with training pipelines that take years to complete. The future of aviation depends on welcoming diverse, motivated professionals, including young women who struggle to see themselves in the cockpit, control tower, or hangar. I founded the Gem State Chapter of Women in Aviation International, to change this, and it’s what motivates our Girls in Aviation Day held each year in Boise. This year’s free, community event is slated for Saturday, Sept. 20 at Jackson Jet Center at the Boise Airport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Girls ages 8 to 18 will get the chance to explore inside real airplanes, connect with real pilots, and experience real opportunities in aviation. 

    When I was a teenager, I didn’t know any female pilots. If I had, I might have realized sooner that I was fully capable of achieving this dream. Girls in Aviation Day offers early exposure to aviation. Without this kind of mentorship and financial support, many students never make it past the starting line. For today’s dreamers, Girls in Aviation Day is the spark. It says: This could be you. The skies are for everyone. Together, we can lift the next generation into the skies. 

    Sarina Larson is an airline pilot and the founding President of Women in Aviation, Gem State Chapter. When she’s not flying airplanes, you’ll find her hiking in the Boise Foothills or attending her son’s high school basketball games. To support scholarships for women in aviation, email gemstatewai@gmail.com.

    https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article311858744.html#storylink=cpy