Women Driving Culture This Week

Women are not just part of the conversation—they are leading it, shaping the trends, and making the key decisions that propel the industry forward. Their influence is being felt in the aviation industry in subtle ways. Here is what that looked like this week:

Discuss: Davidoff's Research Explore How AI Could Help Replace the Co-Pilot in the Cockpit

Alexandra Davidoff , an exceptional undergraduate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University , aims to unpack how the growing use of artificial intelligence could impact flight operations. Initially an Aerospace Engineering student, she discovered her passion for Software Engineering, focusing on systems and software quality assurance. With multiple internships at Boeing and three academic publications under her belt—including one recently in the Journal of Aerospace Information Systems (JAIS) from the AIAA .

Davidoff's research centers on the potential of cognitive assistants—advanced AI systems—to support single-pilot operations (SPO). Her work in an industry traditionally reliant on two pilots suggests that AI could take over the co-pilot's duties. These cognitive assistants would handle decision-making, flight planning, and emergency management, ensuring flights remain safe and efficient even with just one pilot.

While the idea is promising, the technology isn't quite there yet. Cognitive assistants need further development and rigorous testing to meet the strict safety standards of commercial aviation. Davidoff emphasizes that it must be as reliable as a human co-pilot before airlines can adopt this technology. In the meantime, she proposes a hybrid approach. This would involve cognitive assistants working alongside ground support teams. The AI would assist the pilot in the cockpit while human experts on the ground provide additional support, easing the transition to fully AI-assisted single-pilot flights. In some ways, it's already happening at companies like Joby Aviation which recently acquired Xwing (Acquired by Joby Aviation) and Reliable Robotics Corporation . As airlines seek to cut costs and address pilot shortages, Davidoff's research offers a viable solution. Single-pilot operations could become a practical reality if cognitive assistants can be safely integrated into cockpits. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Alexandra Davidoff is one to watch.? At Embry-Riddle, she immersed herself in research alongside faculty and Ph.D. students. She led a team in the FAA Data Challenge, placing in the top 10 nationally—a remarkable achievement for an undergraduate. Her research advisor, Dr. Omar Ochoa, praises her significant contributions to the field at such an early stage in her career. She's addressing some of the industry's most pressing challenges by harnessing AI to potentially replace the co-pilot. While safety remains paramount and more work must be done, her research could pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective flights.?

Explore: Senator Tammy Duckworth’s BABES Enhancement Act Passes Senate Making Air Travel Easier for Breastfeeding Parents

Senator Tammy Duckworth recently announced that her bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act passed the Senate, bringing much-needed changes to airport security for breastfeeding parents. This legislation expands on the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act, ensuring that TSA and private security personnel handle breast milk and baby formula hygienically during security checks. It aims to prevent the kinds of issues many breastfeeding parents, like Emily Calandrelli , have faced while traveling.?

The bill comes after numerous stories like that of Emily, an aerospace engineer and mom, who shared how she felt humiliated by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), as republished recently in an Upworthy article. Emily was traveling without her baby and needed to bring ice packs for the breast milk she planned to pump. Despite explaining her situation, TSA agents denied her request to bring her supplies because the ice packs weren't fully frozen. She had no way to keep the milk cold, causing her unnecessary stress and discomfort.

Emily's story, shared widely on social media, isn't unique. Many moms have reported similar issues, where TSA agents don't fully understand the policies surrounding breast milk and breastfeeding equipment. Calandrelli's experience highlights how much confusion there is about TSA rules for parents traveling with breast milk and baby supplies.

To address this, the BABES Enhancement Act ensures TSA agents are better educated and equipped to handle these situations. The bill requires hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, and cooling accessories, with guidelines updated every five years and applied to TSA and private airport security personnel. After passing the United States Senate , it moves to the U.S. House of Representatives , and once signed into law, TSA has 90 days to implement changes. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will conduct an audit within a year to ensure compliance and evaluate screening technologies' impact on breast milk handling. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Emily Calandrelli's story is one of many examples showing why more straightforward guidelines and better training are essential for TSA agents when handling breast milk and breastfeeding equipment. The BABES Enhancement Act is a much-needed solution to parents' frustrating flying experiences. By ensuring that TSA agents follow proper hygiene and know the rules, this bill helps make travel easier and safer for breastfeeding parents. This is about more than just fixing a policy—it's about creating a system that genuinely supports families. Now we look to the House to pass this commonsense legislation, paving the way for smoother air travel for parents.

Understand: Mpumi Mpofu Highlights Africa's Growing Role in the Global Aviation Ecosystem

Mpumi ZamaZwide Mpofu , the CEO of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), recently described 2024 as a pivotal year for African airport infrastructure development while on a panel at Aviation Africa 2024, and implicated that for investors, this period could mark one of the most significant investment cycles for the continent's aviation sector. Mpofu is one of the most influential figures in African aviation today. Before leading ACSA, she held key positions within South Africa's government, including Director-General for the Department of Transport.?

Under Mpofu's leadership, ACSA manages South Africa's major airports, including Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International, and King Shaka International. She has played a key role in positioning African airports as competitive global players.

In contrast to the U.S. market, where hubs like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson handle over 107 million passengers annually, African airports are still scaling up. Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo, South Africa's largest airport, currently accommodates 28 million passengers annually, while Cape Town International manages 15 million and King Shaka International handles 7 million. While these figures are dwarfed by the major U.S. hubs, Africa's aviation sector is expanding rapidly. Ethiopia, for instance, is building a new facility near Addis Ababa that is projected to handle 150 million passengers, which could eventually rival major global airports.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) (IATA), Africa's aviation sector is growing at a rate of 5.4% annually, higher than the global average of 4.3%. As Mpofu notes, this growth is powered by middle-income countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia strategically investing in their airport infrastructure. As U.S. airlines look to expand their global networks, strengthening air transport links with Africa could fuel trade, tourism, and investment, adding to the already substantial contributions aviation makes to the U.S. economy.?

U.S. aviation manufacturers and service providers stand to benefit from this growth. With Africa forecasting the need for 1,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years, U.S. companies like Boeing are well-positioned to supply aircraft, technology, and services. Additionally, the drive toward modernizing African airports creates new opportunities for U.S. companies specializing in airport management, construction, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

MY TAKE: Mpumi Mpofu's leadership and vision for African aviation set the stage for the continent to emerge as a major global player. With countries like Ethiopia investing in facilities to handle up to 150 million passengers and South Africa committing to infrastructure upgrades, Africa is rapidly transforming. For the U.S., Africa's aviation boom presents a significant opportunity to strengthen trade links, expand airline routes, and create new business ventures. Mpofu's role is pivotal in ensuring that African airports are ready to meet global demand, making Africa a region that U.S. aviation companies must recognize.

It's your turn—I'd love to hear from you. Is there a woman in the aviation or aerospace industry who did something notable this week? Tag her below!