‘Fly Like a Girl’ Prepares Pittsburgh-Area’s Next Generation of Drone Pilots

Fourteen high school girls took the first step toward a career in aviation and technology after completing the Fly Like A Girl (FLAG) Drone Academy last week in conjunction with Pittsburgh International Airport.

Created to address the underrepresentation of women in aviation and STEM careers, FLAG equips high school girls with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience needed to become certified commercial drone pilots.

Students in the free program spent a week learning in classrooms and got hands-on flight experience with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The girls learned about aviation safety, airspace regulations, weather and mission planning and were introduced to career paths and opportunities in the drone industry, including public safety, infrastructure inspection, filmmaking, logistics and environmental research.

FLAG also prepares the girls to earn the certification needed to operate drones commercially in the United States. Students completed 25 hours of coursework during their program and additional independent study for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification exam. While earning the certification is optional, FLAG’s free resources and virtual study sessions help the girls successfully complete the exam.

“This achievement represents much more than working to earn a certification,” said Alicia Booker, director of workforce development at the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA). “These young women are gaining access to a rapidly growing industry and seeing firsthand the opportunities available in aviation, aerospace, engineering and other STEM careers.”

Demand for certified drone pilots continues to rise nationwide as businesses and public agencies increasingly rely on drone technology for data collection, inspections, emergency response and other specialized operations. The FAA Part 107 certification is considered a valuable credential that can lead directly to employment opportunities and advanced educational pathways.

“When I came into this, I wanted to either go into optometry or music therapy, but now that I’ve taken this course, I’m actually thinking of seeing what I can do with drones,” said FLAG participant Daleah, 15.

Since its launch a few years ago, FLAG has graduated five cohorts of students from Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties. This year, the 14 participants completed the intensive drone training program sponsored by ACAA, in partnership with Baldwin-Whitehall and South Fayette high schools.

The academy, which offers access to professional-grade drones, expert instruction, mentorship and real-world exposure to aviation careers, was conceived by Pittsburgh Drone Services CEO Lori Paluti and local school administrators Kristin Deichler, assistant superintendent at South Fayette Township School District, Janeen Peretin, assistant to the superintendent at Baldwin-Whitehall School District, and Emily Sanders, deputy superintendent of Hempfield Area School District.

PNC Charitable Foundation, along with South Fayette Township and Baldwin-Whitehall school districts, support the program through covering critical operational costs, including transportation, that ensures the program remains accessible to students throughout the region.

“What has been truly amazing is the high percentage of girls who have completed the programs are either have or are pursuing aviation or STEM careers,” Paluti said. “It was what we hoped the program would encourage.”

According to Booker, the airport authority’s involvement strengthens an already successful initiative while expanding opportunities for participants. Through the partnership, students gain greater exposure to Pittsburgh’s aviation community and enhanced learning experiences, including aviation-focused activities at Pittsburgh International Airport.

For the 14 graduates, the FAA certification represents not only a significant accomplishment, but also a launchpad toward future careers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology sectors.

“It was really good for me, because I want to study engineering,” said Anagha, 17. “I can use the baseline I get from FLAG to help me pursue internships in the future.”

Ishi, 17, now a certified drone pilot and instructional assistant, said FLAG is the first drone-related activity she has ever done.

“In my school, there are no classes for drones,” Daleah said. “This has been such an exciting adventure.”