A new feature at this year’s International Women in Aviation Conference is an all-female panel of helicopter experts, moderated by Helicopter Association International President Matt Zuccaro.

The Helicopter Panel will take place during the General Session on Friday, March 9, 2012, which is sponsored by Helicopter Association International, EAA, GAMA and NBAA.

The panel is composed of:

Melissa Mathiasen – Chief Program Pilot, Training and Contracts, S-92 and S76C++ Test Pilot, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Colonel Sally Murphy – US Army Ret., First Commissioned Female Army Aviator, TH-55 and UH-1 Pilot

Kate Garrison – Base Line Pilot, Air Evac Lifeteam

Samantha Willenbacher – Director of Bristow Academy, Titusville, Florida

“The goal of the panel is to expose our members to the many career opportunities which exist in the rotary segment of aviation,” says WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. “We want to highlight helicopters at this year’s Conference to underscore this segment of the industry as one of the many avenues our members can take as they pursue their careers.”

With the theme “Reaching Tomorrow Today,” the WAI Conference will include seminars, workshops, networking events, speakers, and a commercial exhibit area.  The Conference concludes on Saturday evening, March 10, 2012, with WAI’s annual banquet where over one half million dollars in scholarships will be awarded and the 2012 group of Pioneers is inducted into WAI’s Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame.

Secure on line registration for the March 8 – 10 event at the Hilton Anatole, Dallas, TX, is available at www.wai.org/12conference.

Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, contact WAI at 3647 State Route 503 South, West Alexandria, OH 45381, Phone (937) 839-4647; Fax (937) 839-4645 or through www.wai.org.