Girls in Flight Training Academy

Pia Bergqvist

Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 08:19 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The Girls in Flight Training Academy (GIFT) offers free instruction, low-cost airplane rentals, and housing for aspiring female pilots in a distraction-free environment near Vernon, Texas.
Now in its second year, the program aims to provide an intensive training experience, similar to WWII WASP training, to encourage more women to obtain pilot certificates and increase their overall representation in aviation.
The academy is spearheaded by highly experienced pilot Mary Latimer, whose multi-generational family of aviators contributes to the instruction and mentorship provided to participants.

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For the second year in a row, the Girls in Flight Training Academy (GIFT) is set to take off Nov. 3-9 at the Wilbarger County Airport (F05) north of Vernon, Texas. The training camp provides free instruction and low-cost airplane rentals to potential female pilots across the country. Housing is also provided, either in a house or in tents at the airport.

Mary Latimer, who spearheaded the project, and her husband Lawrence provide the majority of the instruction. The couple’s daughter, Tamara Griffith, is also part of the instructional team, and a third generation female pilot, Tamara’s daughter Amanda, will participate as a ground instructor, and possibly also as a CFI as she is currently in the process of completing her CFI certificate.