The Women with Wings event, being held at the Bathurst Airport on March 11, is so popular it is already booked out.

Event organiser, David Carroll, said he is not surprised the Bathurst event booked out in record time, given it’s popularity in the last three years.

This year it took only six days for the 100 places to be snapped up.

He said the idea behind the event is to encourage more women to become involved in aviation, a traditionally male orientated area. Statistically females represent just five to seven per cent of pilots.  

Mr Carroll said its the fourth year Bathurst has hosted the event, which has grown in popularity each year.

Michelle O’Hare, Bathurst’s Pilot of the Year, and also the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Youth Ambassador for Australia took her first flight as an eight-year-old and said she was hooked immediately.

She took her first flying lesson at 16 and loved it, but had to wait until she got a job to pay for more lessons.

She now has her licence, and said she loves flying.

“I love the challenge and opportunity to learn new skills.”

She said Women with Wings was a great way to get more women involved in aviation.

The free event is open to all women aged 10 years or over, who have never flown in a small plane before.

Mr Carroll thanked the Bathurst Aeroclub for their support in bringing the event to Bathurst.

He said the club, along with the help of Central West Flying, who provide pilots and planes, and Aero Refullers were vital components in the success of the day.

“The Aeroclub are providing the room and volunteers, and Aero Refuellers are providing 500 litres of of Avgas. Without their support this would not happen,” he said.

While the Bathurst event is booked out, Mr Carroll said there were still vacancies in the Orange event.