Media Coverage
Habitat for Aviation & Friends in the Media
We are thrilled to share a new, long-awaited short film from the talented Brief But Spectacular team from PBS NewsHour who visited Habitat For Aviation back in November 2023 to capture the magic happening in our little hangar at Franklin County State Airport.
Each of our Women Build Planes team members, all of whom are Harbor Freight Fellows, got to share the the ways in which they are engaging with their hands in the skilled trades, doing what makes their hearts sing along supportive adult mentors.
The PBS team's insightful questions and deep listening sparked meaningful reflection about the future of education. We're deeply appreciative of their efforts to capture our story by weaving the ways in which Big Picture Learning has helped create equitable opportunities for youth to achieve their greatest potential in non-conventional learning environments like ours all over the world for nearly three decades.
WDEV Vermont Viewpoint Interview with Habitat for Aviation’s Women Build Planes Team Members
We appreciate the opportunity to join Brad Ferland on Vermont Viewpoint to share our experiences as part of the Women Build Planes team. Our founder and Pilot in Command, Beth White, along with several team members, reflected on the build process and the incredible impact of Habitat for Aviation’s mission on their lives. Thank you to Brad for his warm welcome and thoughtful conversation. Click the link below to listen.
Fly Girls
We were thrilled to welcome Seven Days reporter, Alison Novak, who spent an afternoon with our Women Build Planes Team on February 11, 2024. Her delightful article Fly Girls: A Franklin County Nonprofit Is Drawing Young Women Into Aviation Careers, beautifully captured the essence of our mission and highlighted the transformative journey on which we’ve embarked to encourage youth, especially women, to explore careers in aviation. We loved Novak’s insightful questions and genuine interest in our programs, and were grateful for the opportunity to share more about our non-profit’s plans for the future.
Novak painted a vivid picture of our bustling hangar at the Franklin County State Airport, where youth and adult women, clad in vibrant pink overalls, are shattering gender stereotypes through their hands-on experiences in aviation. As we continue to expand our initiatives, including gender-inclusive airplane builds and partnerships with local educational institutions and companies, we are grateful for the support of our community, especially for the dedicated volunteers who share our vision of a vibrant aviation sector. She also gave a terrific interview with WCAX’s Darren Perron, A Franklin County nonprofit is drawing women into aviation careers, further amplifying our work to an even larger audience.
Bernie BUZZ
The Bernie Buzz newsletter article, titled "The Sky is the Limit for Habitat for Aviation," beautifully highlighted our efforts to support the next generation of young aviation maintenance technicians and avionics specialists through hands-on apprenticeship opportunities. Senator Sanders praised our organization for teaching new skills, fostering community, and challenging industry norms, especially noting the significance of our Women Build Planes program, which is led entirely by women and girls. The feature underscored the importance of increasing female representation in aviation, with only 5% of pilots and less than 3% of airplane mechanics being women. This spotlight has brought greater attention to our mission and is a testament to the incredible work of our team.
20 Outstanding Women of Vermont and Northern New York
Thankful to Chandler Ede for for nominating Beth White for the 98.9 WOKO and Hannaford Supermarkets 20 Outstanding Women of Vermont and Northern New York award. Listen to the interview that aired on WOKO in February 2024.
Habitat for Aviation Inspires Young Women: WCAX Channel 3
In February, 2024, we had the distinct pleasure to share our journey building an airplane with WCAX reporter, Jessica Tara.
Habitat for Aviation Makes the News
December 21, 2023 article by Aurora Institute Celebrating 10 Years of Flexible Pathways Legislation in Vermont
March 18, 2024 article by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools: Habitat for Aviation All-Girls Plane Build Featured on PBS
March 6, 2024 Habitat for Aviation Team Member, Aubrianna Mayette, was featured in the WCAX interview: Raising Awareness: Teen Self-Harm and the Impact of Social Media
December 21, 2023 article by Aurora Institute Celebrating 10 Years of Flexible Pathways Legislation in Vermont
June 29, 2023 article by Youth Aviator Adel Medic: Perspective to Legacy: Navigating a Dream in the Sky
June 23, 2023 article by Youth Aviator and Mechanic-in-training, Miranda Gallagher: How middle school career exploration helped my passion for aviation take flight
Thanksgiving Day 2022 article by Jack Thurston at NBC Boston ‘Gratitude is my Religion:’ Thankful Vt. Cancer Survivor Launching Aviation Nonprofit
Article in St. Albans Messenger, August 9, 2022: Renovations begin for Habitat for Aviation, new education program near Franklin County State Airport
Article in VTDigger, August 1, 2022: Nonprofit group plans aviation apprenticeship program in Franklin County
Article in St. Albans Messenger, June 24, 2022: Habitat for Aviation brings aviation education and avionics apprenticeships to Franklin County State Airport
June 16, 2022 Presentation to Highgate Select board: Presentation by Ian Bradette, rising 9th grader, and Beth White to Highgate Selectboard
December 15, 2021 NECN Broadcast: Convoy of Caring, Including Iconic Truck, Brings VT Cancer Patient for Major Surgery: A large-scale show of support wished Beth White well on the day of her double mastectomy
The Harbor Freight Fellows Youth at the Center film features one of our first airplane mechanic apprentices, Julie Torres, as she shares her journey into the field.
Youth Aviator, Japer Henderson, had his essay, Where Preparation and Opportunity Intersect: How My High School Experience Set in Motion My Aerospace Career, published on EAA’s website.
Youth Aviator, Joseph Mensah, had his article, Pursuing Passions, How I Launched my Flying Career in High School, pushed out on EAA’s eHotline, in EAA’s Sport Aviation Magazine, as well as online in Chapters, Learning to Fly, and Member Stories sections
EAA Chapter 613 Ray Scholar, Jasper Henderson, worked with EAA Chapter 613 Scholarship Chairperson, Beth White, to write the article, Where Preparation and Opportunity Intersect: How My High School Experience Set in Motion My Aerospace Career, which was published on EAA’s website
Beth White: Living Your Dreams, by Jann Clark, was published in the 99s Magazine
EAA Chapter 613 Youth film crew hosted their first film in the series, Youth in Aviation: Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviation Enthusiasts, which was directed and edited by middle school youth aviator Miranda Gallagher, and featured EAA Chapter 613 Youth Aviator, Joseph Mensah. The background soundtrack is from EAA Chapter 613 members and musicians, John and Marge Butterfield
EAA Chapter Member, Ed Scott, was featured in WCAX’s Super Senior segment
February 2022 edition of Sport Aviation featured three of EAA Chapter 613’s Ray Scholars in the article, Investing in the Future of Aviation