Women in aircraft maintenance: A gender analysis in aircraft maintenance training

An aircraft maintenance training is provided through vocational courses and higher education institutions in Türkiye, as it is worldwide. In Türkiye, various institutions, including the Faculty of Aviation and Astronautics, Aviation Vocational High Schools, Civil Aviation Colleges, and university-affiliated Vocational Schools, provide aircraft maintenance training. Technicians in mechanical and avionics fields are trained through these programs. University-level departments such as Airframe and Engine Maintenance, Aircraft Maintenance and Repair, Aviation Electrics and Electronics, and Aircraft Technology provide curricula aligned with industry requirements and international standards. One of the challenges faced in the aviation industry is the recruitment and participation of women in technical roles. Statistical data clearly reveals a significant gender imbalance in the aviation workforce, with women representation markedly lower than that of males. The gender imbalance is even more pronounced in the aircraft maintenance industry, where women remain significantly underrepresented in technical positions. This underrepresentation also extends to other areas of the aviation industry, including roles such as pilots, flight attendants, and air traffic controllers. This study aims to examine the enrollment trends of women students in aircraft maintenance departments at universities in Türkiye. Therefore, the study employs quantitative and descriptive research design. Enrollment data from aircraft maintenance departments at universities in Türkiye was collected between 2020 and 2024 and analyzed using frequency and percentage distributions to examine gender-based trends. The findings indicate that women enroll in these departments at significantly lower rates than their male counterparts, and that there is a persistent gender gap in technical aviation education.