Join The Dames
The Grand Dames of Aviation is a distinguished, application-based community recognizing and connecting women who exemplify excellence, leadership, and service in aviation and aerospace.
Membership is open to women 35 years of age or older with at least 10 years of professional experience as a professional pilot, aviation or aerospace STEM professional, or aviation or aerospace executive.
Becoming a Grand Dame means joining a supportive network of accomplished women who celebrate one another’s achievements, preserve our industry’s history, mentor future generations, and inspire more women to believe, achieve, and succeed in aviation and aerospace.
Grand Dames
Women 35+ with 10+ years of professional aviation experience qualify automatically. Exceptional aviators, like aerobatic champions, astronauts, or record holders are also welcome.
Benefits:
Official Grand Dame certification and number
Recognition within a prestigious community of women leaders
Opportunities to mentor Aspiring Dames
Membership Options:
Annual Membership: $75/year
Legacy Dame Lifetime Membership: $1,000 one-time, permanent status
Aspiring Dames
For women pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace who have not yet met the qualifications for Grand Dame membership.
Benefits:
Mentorship from Grand Dames
Early notifications of scholarships and mentorship events with no application fees
Connection to a supportive aviation community
Membership Option:
Pay-What-You-Can Membership
• Suggested contribution: $20/year
• We never want cost to be a barrier to mentorship, connection, and professional growth.
FAQs
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Become a Grand Dame if you have at least ten years experience as a professional pilot, ages 35 and up. nonpilots can be approved by the membership committee after 2 years service.
Professional pilots with qualifying experience may be eligible for direct approval. Applications from aviation and aerospace STEM professionals and executives are thoughtfully reviewed by the Board and may include a period of advisory or volunteer engagement to foster meaningful relationships within the organization before designation.
Join the Aspiring Dames if you are working towards your ten years experience to become a Grand Dame, ages 18 and up.
Join the Honorary Fellowship of Aviation if you are an aviation professional with at least ten years experience.
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Yes! If you have accumulated at least 10 years experience as a career professional pilot.
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If you have an extraordinary accomplishment, i.e. world-record holder, aerobatic champion, the board will consider your application. Otherwise, you can apply for the Aspiring Dame or the Honorary Fellowship memberships.
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Yes! If you are an aviation and aerospace professional with at least 10 years experience you can join our Honorary Fellowship of Aviation. If you are a woman in aviation who is not a pilot but has trailblazing accomplishments you can receive Grand Dame designation by serving for 2 years as an advisor or volunteer! Contact us for details.
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Yes! Men are welcome to apply for the Honorary Fellowship of Aviation membership if they have at least 10 years as an aviation or aerospace professional.
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Every application is individually reviewed by the Grand Dames of Aviation leadership team to ensure alignment with our mission, values, and commitment to professional excellence.
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Upon approval, you’ll receive your official Grand Dame Designation, be assigned your unique Grand Dame Number, and be welcomed into a remarkable community of women dedicated to advancing aviation and aerospace through leadership, mentorship, and service.
Join us!
Celebrate, educate and inspire women to believe, achieve, and succeed in aviation with our scholarships, Trailblazer program, or create your own fund.