The New England Air Museum, Women Take Flight

Meet local women in the aerospace industry, participate in hands-on STEM activities, climb aboard historic aircraft, fly flight simulators, and more!

The New England Air Museum will hold its annual event, Women Take Flight, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 10AM – 3PM. The museum’s family friendly celebration of women in aerospace features hands-on activities, flight simulators, open cockpit experiences in historic aircraft, lectures, and opportunities to meet local women in the aerospace industry!

This year’s event will feature two panel presentations throughout the day. Pratt & Whitney will be presenting Pratt & Whitney: Celebrating 100 Years of Innovation & Inspiring Future Generations at 11AM. 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of dependable engines from Pratt & Whitney, right here in Connecticut. Every second a Pratt & Whitney-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. Join us to hear from Pratt employees about the important work they do for the aerospace industry.

The second panel of the day will feature women from the 103rd Airlift Wing, CT Air National Guard, at 1PM. Speakers will share about their careers in the guard, in areas including Vehicle Operations, Honor Guard, Security Forces, Loadmaster, Air Transportation, and Aircraft Hydraulics. The 103rd Airlift Wing “Flying Yankees” are based at Bradley International Airport and provide tactical airpower and mission support for Connecticut and the country.

Women Take Flight will also give visitors the opportunity to meet women pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals from across the region! Exhibitors include the 103rd Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard; 377th Airlift Squadron & 439th AMXS of Westover; Connecticut Hang Gliding Association; Connecticut Soaring Association; CT Veterans Legal Center; Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 166; Kaman Corporation; New England Section of the 99’s; RTX WISE, Collins; RTX WISE, Pratt & Whitney; Society of Women Engineers Hartford; UConn Mechanical Engineering Department; Women in Aviation International, Connecticut Chapter; and Women in Transportation Seminar CT.

Visitors will have the opportunity to climb aboard several of the museum’s historic aircraft including the Lockheed 10A Electra, which is rarely open for public viewing. The museum’s Electra is just two serial numbers away from the aircraft that aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart was flying when she disappeared. Hands-on activities for visitors of all ages will be available from the museum’s Education Team, and visitors are encouraged to participate in Women Take Flight bingo for a prize!

Speaking Presentations:
Pratt & Whitney: Celebrating 100 years of Innovation & Inspiring Future Generations (11AM)
Careers in the Air Guard with the 103rd Airlift Wing (1PM)