Girls in Aviation Day takes flight with strong turnout in Melbourne

Girls and their families packed the Sheltair facility at Orlando Melbourne International Airport for the Girls in Aviation Day on Saturday, Sept. 19 – a turnout much larger than organizers had envisioned.

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Amanda Roberts, event organizer and president of the 321 Women in Aviation Chapter, told FLORIDA TODAY the third annual Girls in Aviation Day on the Space Coast saw a whopping 900 people register for the event, and that wasn’t even the final attendance count, as people continued to pour in throughout the morning.

“The point of this event is to inspire the youth and our second career adults that are looking for change,” said Roberts.

The event, which boasts over 45 venders, aircraft, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, and pilots, has tripled in interest over the years, going from 150 in attendance at the first event to 454 in 2025.

“Everyone thinks of aviation jobs of just being pilots, flight attendants – you know, the real basics,” said Benjamin Roberts, event organizer and Sheltair customer service manager.

“One of my big goals with this event is to explore all the different facets of the aviation world, from maintenance to marketing to accounting to volunteer organizations.”

Astrid Gibson, an instructor at Rocket Air Flight Academy, helped girls climb inside a Cessna 172 aircraft.

“It’s really important for the people in the community, especially women, since it’s definitely a male-dominated industry, to see that this is an option for them,” said Gibson.

Sadie Manchaca, a junior at Florida Tech’s flight school, stood with a Piper Warrior aircraft. She noted that girls don’t get typically get exposure to aircraft and aviation personnel on a regular basis.

“I didn’t grow up with that,” said Manchaca. “So getting to see them getting to touch the plane, get on the plane … they get so excited and realize this is something that they can do, too.”

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A Marines training aircraft, a Boeing T-45C Goshawk, roared up to the event early in the morning, catching the attention of many. It was left parked on display for attendees to gaze at.

STEM and robotics activities filled the back corner of the venue, while members of the Pink Team, a local high school robotics team, spoke with young girls who stopped by.

Pink Team Electrical Lead Hasini Setty said it’s important for events like this to occur so young girls can speak with role models who can in turn encourage them to pursue a STEM career.

Aspiring aviators continuously came up to the vendor tables to speak with people who are involved in STEM and aviation. And throughout the morning, many families came and went, checking out the aviation fun.

The enthusiastic and larger-than-expected crowd left organizers grateful – and there could be a new location for the next Girls in Aviation event. Even with the recent addition of 100 parking spaces at the currently expanding Sheltair facility, capacity was exceeded.

“I think next year we’re going to have to rent out a bigger space,” Amanda Roberts said with a laugh.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Girls in Aviation Day takes flight with strong turnout in Melbourne

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Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published September 19, 2026 at 2:59 PM.