Female students at TSTC aim to change the face of aviation maintenance

Eileen Collins. Amelia Earhart. Beryl Markham. Phoebe Omlie. Elinor Smith. Harriet Quimby.
These are just a few of the women known for conquering the skies. While some names are more recognizable than others, for the students in the aviation maintenance program at Texas State Technical College, they are all role models.

With nine female students currently enrolled in the Abilene program, this new generation is proving they have exactly what it takes to succeed in a male-dominated field.

“It is good to see women who want to get their hands dirty,” said Rachel Dupre, an aviation maintenance instructor and graduate of the program. “It is encouraging to see so many women wanting to work in this industry.”

Connecting Past and Present

Rachel often uses the classroom to bridge the gap between history and the future. She frequently discusses Phoebe Omlie, the first woman to earn an airplane mechanic’s license, the first licensed female transport pilot, and the first woman appointed to a federal position in aviation.

“I want to be a mentor to the female students so that they can carry the attitude of self-worth,” she said.

That mentorship is already making an impact. Krysta Lundgren, a student from San Antonio, noted the supportive environment cultivated by the faculty.

“The teachers are all super helpful,” Krysta said. “Not only that, there are so many people willing to help out.”

The Abilene campus utilizes a dedicated hangar to train students, facilitating a realistic learning environment. Carman Collier, a student from Abilene, said the curriculum is intense, but rewarding.

“I really like the lab work in the hangar,” she said. “This is a big hands-on program focused on lab-heavy work.”

Closing the Gender Gap

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

, women fill less than 3% of aviation maintenance industry jobs. The students at TSTC are determined to see that rate increase.

“I know this is a big male-dominated industry,” said Destany Gongoria, a student from Abilene. “I know that by taking this program I will make an impact. I want to show people in the industry that I can be as good as any other person.”

Destany is already backing up those words with action. In addition to attending classes, she works at Envoy Air in Abilene and was recently promoted to work on larger aircraft. She is also pacing ahead of her classmates, having already earned her FAA airframe license.

“I have been inspired by women in the industry,” she said. “Being here is definitely inspiring to the younger generation. I love being part of that. I want people to be inspired to pursue their passion.”

Diverse Motivations

While they share a classroom, the spark that led these women to aviation differs. Trinity Parker of Abilene originally wanted to be a pilot, while Monica Stillabower of Clyde grew up watching her father work on U.S. Air Force planes.

For Krysta, the transition came from the automotive world. She enjoyed working on her car and decided to expand her mechanical knowledge.

“The engines we work on in the lab are a lot bigger,” Krysta noted.

Ashley Mann, a student from California, found her inspiration through family ties as well.

“My stepfather worked at an airport, which I thought was pretty cool,” she said. “I wanted to do something that was hands-on, and I know that this is a good-paying industry.”

Career Horizons

Destany is not alone in balancing the rigors of school and employment. Trinity works for American Airlines, and Jasmine Ordway, a student from Abilene, works alongside Gongoria at Envoy Air.

Trinity noted that working for a major commercial carrier while attending TSTC provides two distinct forms of education.

“At TSTC, I am working on the smaller engines of an airplane, while at American, it is the larger ‘new kid’ style engines,” she said.

While they are still weighing their post-graduation options, many students already have their sights set on specific career paths. Jasmine noted that the skills learned in the lab are transferable to industries beyond aviation, such as hydraulics.

“There is a huge spectrum of what I will be able to do when I complete my degree,” Jasmine said.

Destany agreed, pointing to the versatility of the certification.

“There is so much maneuverability with a degree in this program,” she said. “I could work in the wind industry, NASA, [or on] the big propellers on cruise ships. Anything is possible. Once I get my powerplant license, I will have both for the rest of my life.”

Regardless of where they end up—whether as traveling mechanics or working on wind turbines—the students agree they are leaving the hangar with more than just a degree.

“You are going to make friends for a lifetime,” Jasmine said.

Collier believes that camaraderie stems from a shared passion for the trade.

“Everybody here wants to be here, and it shows,” Carman said.

“We all have a good time working together,” Ashley added. “There is a lot of support among our classmates.”