<p><img alt="Offshore Helicopter 625x350" src="/getasset/37e5f76d-e85b-4511-b416-37c0805f003c/" /></p>
<p>Much has been written about efforts to recruit more women pilots into the airline industry, with carriers such as EasyJet and Qantas among those setting ambitious targets to redress the cockpit gender imbalance, at least among cadet recruits.</p>
<p>However, a corner of the aviation industry that is probably even more male-dominated is offshore helicopters, with the North Sea sector considered by many very much a man’s world.</p>
<p>Rotorcraft operator CHC is doing its best to redress the balance, taking part in a 7 March initiative to encourage more women to take up careers in the wider oil and gas sector by flying an all-female group of engineers, geoscientists and offshore technicians to the Mariner field, off Aberdeen, to mark International Women’s Day. It was designed to highlight the opportunities that exist for women in the industry.</p>
<p>What was remarkable about the flight was that it was crewed by four women. CHC captain, Zoe Champion notes: “We still see too few young women considering a career in aviation, either through pilot or engineer training. I hope events like this will show the many different career opportunities open to everyone today. I’m product that CHC is focused on improving gender diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.”</p>
<p>Much has been written about efforts to recruit more women pilots into the airline industry, with carriers such as EasyJet and Qantas among those setting ambitious targets to redress the cockpit gender imbalance, at least among cadet recruits.</p>
<p>However, a corner of the aviation industry that is probably even more male-dominated is offshore helicopters, with the North Sea sector considered by many very much a man’s world.</p>
<p>Rotorcraft operator CHC is doing its best to redress the balance, taking part in a 7 March initiative to encourage more women to take up careers in the wider oil and gas sector by flying an all-female group of engineers, geoscientists and offshore technicians to the Mariner field, off Aberdeen, to mark International Women’s Day. It was designed to highlight the opportunities that exist for women in the industry.</p>
<p>What was remarkable about the flight was that it was crewed by four women. CHC captain, Zoe Champion notes: “We still see too few young women considering a career in aviation, either through pilot or engineer training. I hope events like this will show the many different career opportunities open to everyone today. I’m product that CHC is focused on improving gender diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.”</p>