Unexpected Turbulence: The Barriers and Challenges Faced by Women Pilots in the Australian Defence Force

Abstract

Unexpected Turbulence is a feminist, multidisciplinary study of women in non-traditional occupations. Using Australian Defence Force (ADF) pilots as a ‘case’, the research examines factors impacting women’s selection of a flying career; identifies the gender-based barriers and challenges women pilots face through different career stages; and delivers a model for increasing women’s representation in non-traditional fields.

The analysis draws on seventy-five semi-structured interviews and twelve focus group discussions designed to capture women and girls’ experiences in and perceptions of civilian and military piloting careers. The study also encompasses valuable practical and theoretical insights from delivering, within the ADF, a targeted implementation strategy to mitigate the numerous challenges identified throughout the research.

This thesis contends that ADF women pilots face pervasive and sometimes insurmountable gender-based hurdles, both structural and cultural, at every career stage. These barriers are primarily borne from women’s extremely low numerical representation and the hegemonic masculinity found within military flying. Women’s lack of critical mass in this highly masculinised occupation presents some difficult choices between isolationism and adopting the dominant male paradigm.

In seeking a way forward, the study highlights several essential elements in analysing and responding to the challenges faced by women in non-traditional occupations; including the value of applying a feminist lens to each research and reform stage and maintaining an occupational (not organisational) focus. The research also demonstrates the criticality of addressing both supply (choice) and demand (power) factors impacting women’s choices, attitudes and experiences and translating those insights into a comprehensive strategy for delivering occupational reform.

The study makes a number of significant contributions, such as extending current theoretical frameworks pertaining to gendered occupations and locating ADF women pilots as ‘case’ within these frameworks. Most importantly, the study also introduces an original concept called ‘occupational feminism’ and an applied diversity reform model called ‘Feminist Occupational Intervention’ each of which has the potential to be applied more broadly in both academic research and organisations and/or industries.

Occupational feminism provides a framework for bridging feminist research and human resource development practice, to significantly improve the way organisations attract, select, train, and retain women in non-traditional occupations.