Women microlight pilots in the Sud Region

This project was born after the 2022 General Assembly of the FFPLUM regional committee. Morgane Planton (a member of the French paramotor team in classic and slalom, and team world champion) took matters in hand with the help of Marie-France Jéhanne, head of the FFPLUM Women's Division. Combining their skills, backed by the Regional Committee and counting neither time nor effort, they brought the idea to life. To create this wonderful women's get-together, here is the recipe: mix a generous helping of volunteering with sunny weather and a light breeze; add a large strip of soft, freshly cut grass and a cool, shady little campsite with a swimming pool; blend the different microlight classes and pilots from all walks of life; gather all these enthusiasts around workshops, games and discoveries of the region; sprinkle with good humour and friendliness, and you get a delicious moment of sharing, flying and passion.

The 1^st gathering of women microlight pilots in the Sud Region took place on 24 and 25 June 2023 at Saint-Martin-de-Castillon (LF8421), with beautiful weather and a successful weekend. Very young and older alike, they arrived from 4 corners of the Sud Region. On Saturday morning there were 23 machines (2 or 3 visitors) along the edge of the runway, including 1 weight-shift microlight and 1 gyroplane plus 9 paramotors. They set off from Gap, Eyguières, Avignon, Cannes, Cuers, Vinon-sur-Verdon, Alès, Nîmes, Cipières, Aspres-sur-Buëch, Aix, … and even La Tour-du-Pin in Isère (Fanny and Manon, two sisters in a Tétras) and Herbitzheim in Alsace (Séverine, with her paramotor loaded in her car). Also present were Cathy, Stéphanie, Hajer, Morgane, Caroline, Chantal, Noélie, Valérie, Armelle, Brigitte, Danièle, Marie-France, Françoise, Chantal and Nathalie. On arrival they were given, among other things, a reusable cup marked with the event and the Regional Committee, and a souvenir T-shirt.

The aim of the gathering was for women pilots from different microlight classes to get to know each other and swap practices, and a few photo navigation exercises gave a playful introduction to the Luberon and surrounding area. After an aperitif offered by the Regional Committee, the Saturday afternoon "radio", "competition" and "mechanics" workshops were well attended. Wing-inflation games amused and kept pilots of all classes running until it was time to jump in the pool and under the shower before the aperitif, the evening meal and a demonstration by the two paramotor champions, Cyril Planton and Jérémy Pénone.

On Sunday morning, before the meal, everyone came together to analyse and discuss the questionnaire they had filled in, prepared by Morgane. Whether they discovered the microlight world through the media, their partner, the BIA or an introductory flight, similar concerns emerged: machines not made to their size (cushions or pedal extenders), poorly adapted teaching, and sometimes self-doubt driven by old, limiting preconceptions that make women believe they are not capable (theory, fear of accidents). They also shared the difficulties linked to being a wife and/or mother (how to manage children's presence at the airfield or at competitions), and the fact that flying is time-consuming (plus the distance to clubs). Clubs could help spread gender balance in our community, even by creating a "Women's Flying" label that would guarantee that women's particular needs are taken into account. More frequent meetings were warmly welcomed, as was developing communication around these subjects (in schools, talking about the BIA, and also having clubs and women present at association fairs).

It is clear that all the women at this gathering, whether they qualified four months or thirteen years ago, or are instructors, feel immense pleasure in flying and piloting (between 30 and 60 flying hours a year, but at least once a week).

Saint-Martin-de-Castillon is an ideal, friendly aerodrome, and its manager Mathieu Pellegrin makes it a warmly welcoming place. The FFPLUM Regional Committee is a regular user of this airfield and regularly organises successful competitions and events there.

We can't wait for the next gathering of women microlight pilots, friendly, good-humoured, warm and rewarding, full of exchanges and moments with friends. All the women are looking forward to it and said as they left: "Thank you to Mathieu, thank you to the organisers and... see you next year, hopefully in even greater numbers!"

© Chantal Esseiva