Leading Australian flight training academy and flight club, Sydney Flight College (SFC), has continued its mission in supporting women in aviation by awarding its latest Women Pilot Scholarship to student pilot Sophia Poole.


Awarded on International Women’s Day, which was celebrated at the academy’s Sydney clubhouse on Friday, March 8, the scholarship provides financial assistance and mentorship for female student pilots on their flying career journey through the support of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association.


Continuing their ’25 by 25’ initiative, SFC’s goal of 25% female student pilots by 2025, the academy chose to celebrate International Women’s Day by hosting a luncheon at their operations clubhouse.


The event, which included a panel discussion answering industry questions from current female students, comprised guest women pilots Dominique Estival (Australian Women Pilots’ Association), Flight Lieutenant Sarah Hume (Royal Australian Air Force) and Erin Douglas (2023 winner of the Australian Aviation Flying Excellence Award and Recreational Pilot of the Year).

Present at the event were prospective female student pilots, as well a number of SFC’s current students and staff, creating an atmosphere of encouragement and support for women pilots in an industry which is typically male-dominated, at approximately 5% female.

SFC Head of Marketing Raymond Toutounji highlighted that in order to facilitate growth for women in aviation, men across the industry must provide support.

“We are thrilled that we have a current female intake of 21%. As we strive towards our target of 25%, we will continue to create a voice and help females feel confident and supported while training,” Mr Toutounji said.

SFC Chief Executive Officer Joseph Pilo praised the event, noting that flying schools across Australia play a key role in creating growth for women in the Australian aviation industry.

"We need to open doors for women pilots across Australia, and it starts at the grass-roots level with our flying schools and academies,” Mr Pilo said.

“We proudly celebrate the achievements of women in aviation, and it’s clear that their unique contribution to aviation inspires many others to follow,” he added.


SFC is a leading Australian flight training academy, having recently opened a new Tamworth facility, and expanding operations and flying career opportunities for students across Australia.