Naples Airport Hosted Girls in Aviation Day

The event gave local Girl Scouts the chance to learn about careers in the aviation industry.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Air Travel

Bold vector editorial illustration of an airplane propeller on a sunny airport tarmac, evoking interest in aviation careers. — Naples Airport hosted an educational event on Saturday for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida to inspire young women toward careers in aviation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe local youth aviation programs are effective at encouraging young women to pursue careers?

Naples Airport hosted an educational event for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida to inspire young women toward careers in aviation. Participants interacted with female pilots and paramedics while exploring aircraft cockpits.

Why it matters

The program provides girls and young women with exposure to professional aviation roles that have historically seen low female representation. By offering hands-on experiences, organizers hope to build future interest in flight and emergency services.

The global initiative was established in 2015 to encourage youth involvement in flight. Attendees gained experience with a 1962 Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft, a model often used for initial pilot training.

The players

Naples Airport Authority

This government entity is responsible for the operation and management of the public-use airport in Naples, Florida.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

This regional chapter of the national organization provides leadership and development programs for girls across Southwest Florida.

Women in Aviation International

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests.

Cristina Jones

A licensed pilot, she has maintained her flying credentials for over 10 years.

The details

Participants climbed into cockpits and practiced aircraft marshalling signals used on the tarmac. Female aviation professionals and paramedics provided mentorship to the scouts during the daylong event.

2015 marked the launch of the global Girls in Aviation Day initiative.
The event took place at Naples Airport on September 26, 2026.

Travel Outlook

This regional event aligns with the broader push by Women in Aviation International's global outreach initiative to diversify the future workforce of the airline and aerospace sectors. It reflects a growing industry trend of using local infrastructure to cultivate long-term career interest in flight.

For families looking to participate in future outreach opportunities, local scouting organizations provide regular updates on career-path events. Interested individuals can monitor airport community calendars for future public access days to explore aviation hardware.

The takeaway

Hands-on mentorship events play a key role in demystifying complex technical professions for the next generation. These programs help bridge the gap between initial interest and formal training paths for young women in the region.