Meet Aanuoluwapo “Annie” O., better known as The Airplane Girl. A trailblazer in aerospace and a passionate advocate for sustainable aviation, Annie is reshaping the future of flight. As a Carrington Fellow and founder of the Young Aerospace Professionals Initiative (YAPI), she is on a mission to inspire the next generation of innovators.
From championing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen propulsion to advancing STEM education in her home country of Nigeria, Annie’s journey is as inspiring as it is impactful.
1. What sparked your passion for aerospace, and how did it shape your career aspirations?
Growing up, I often had the opportunity to see airplanes fly over in my neighborhood. This made me curious on what these flying objects were. I was always excited when the aircraft noise approached and would run outside to catch a view. Sometimes, I’d be lucky to and other times not. As simple as this was, that was where the journey started for me. The curiosity encouraged me to pursue a career in Aerospace and Aviation. Even till now, the little girl in me still loves seeing planes and also, working on them.
2. Can you share a moment when you realized the impact of your work in aerospace on aspiring professionals or mentees?
I have had the opportunity to work with over 100 young professionals, both directly and indirectly. However, one major moment that stood out for me was when I helped a Secondary School Graduate choose the correct course of study and higher institution to attend. Many aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers often make a major career mistake of studying generic engineering courses like Mechanical, Electrical and other popular Engineering courses. With proper guidance and support, this particular mentee was admitted to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and he is currently achieving a first-class grade. His college admission made me realize the importance of mentorship in the careers of young professionals. Mentorship helps these young professionals to make the right career choices early on and avoid errors that could limit their career growth and development.
3. How do you envision propulsion and sustainability transforming the future of green aviation?
I believe this transformation has already begun. Majority of an Airplane’s contribution to CO2 emissions comes from the engine’s exhaust and that is why Propulsion technologies are gaining much attention. The focus lately has been on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), Electric and Hydrogen Propulsion. With SAFs, obtained from waste products, CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 80%, according to IATA, and both Electric and Hydrogen Propulsion have the potential to eliminate the emission of greenhouse gases. I am very interested in the research, development, and implementation of hydrogen propulsion technologies and believe it to be one of the most promising green aviation solutions.
4. What challenges have you faced as a young female professional in aerospace, and how did you overcome them?
The road to success is not an easy one, so definitely I have had my fair share of difficulties in my journey as a young Aerospace professional. One major challenge is the limited opportunities for career growth and development in Nigeria. Unlike most developed countries, the industry in most African nations is just growing and there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of access to both educational and work opportunities. However, this has not deterred me from pursuing my dreams. I constantly invest time in gaining knowledge through Trainings and Courses made available by International Aviation Organizations. I also pursue the available training programs as little as they might be. I recently returned from an out of station role to carry out Non-destructive Testing on a B737 Aircraft.
As a young woman, I have also faced challenges based on Stereotypes. I’ve had my boarding pass read Mr. because my name was submitted as an Aircraft Technician. I sometimes get questioned if I am qualified to perform certain roles that require high technicalities and physical strength. And this can be a bit hurtful at times. Nonetheless, I always give my best at work and carry out all the tasks assigned to me. This has helped ease a lot of concerns on my capabilities as a young female professional in the industry.
5. Tell us about the Young Aerospace Professionals Initiative—what inspired its creation, and what successes are you most proud of?
The Young Aerospace Professionals Initiative, YAPI, is a STEM education and workforce development non-profit organization focused on young aerospace professionals. Its mission is to help them navigate their careers and empower them to achieve their professional goals. I decided to launch the Young Aerospace Professionals Initiative because of my personal experience during my Aircraft Maintenance Internship at Arik Air in 2021. Based on my Internship experience, I realized that there is a knowledge gap for engineering students when switching from academia to the industry. This knowledge gap includes lack of understanding on available career pathways, skill requirements and even the lack of access to opportunities for career growth and development.
In over two years since its establishment, YAPI has helped many young engineering students and professionals secure internships and graduate training programs leading in aerospace and aviation companies including – Arik Air, Air Peace, Aero Contractors, Air First Maintenance, Vortyx Space, 631 Maintenance Depot, 7 Star Global Hangar, EAN Aviation, etc. I am always delighted seeing these young students and professionals kick start their journey on the right track. It is undoubtedly one of my proudest achievements as their mentor.
6. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to build a career in STEM, especially in aerospace?
I would tell every young woman the exact same words I told myself: It is going to be a tough journey of learning, striving to be the best, and proving your worth every day. But you’ve got this. Always believe in yourself each day. If you believe in yourself, you will achieve great things.
7. How can aviation enthusiasts and professionals work together to promote sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen technologies?
Aviation enthusiasts and professionals can collaborate to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen technologies through efforts in research and development, advocacy, and public-private partnerships. By engaging in joint research initiatives, they can drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation solutions. Advocacy plays a crucial role in influencing policy and raising public awareness about the benefits of SAFs and hydrogen technologies, thereby encouraging a supportive environment for their implementation. Additionally, advocating for public-private partnerships can facilitate the sharing of resources and expertise, leading to the development of infrastructure and the scaling up of sustainable aviation projects. These strategies can significantly advance the transition towards more sustainable aviation practices.
8. What role do you see mentorship playing in creating more opportunities for diversity and inclusion in aerospace?
The increasing number of organizations dedicated to mentoring and supporting the younger generation in the aerospace and aviation industry holds significant hope for improving both the quality and quantity of professionals over time. Mentorship programs are very important in providing career growth and development opportunities for minority groups, such as women and Black professionals, who have been historically underrepresented in this sector. For example, women constitute only about 15% of the aerospace and defense workforce, with Black employees making up approximately 8.6%. Targeted mentorship initiatives can help bridge these gaps by providing guidance, resources, and networking opportunities, thereby creating a more inclusive and diverse industry. Encouraging the participation of underrepresented groups not only promotes equity but also brings diverse perspectives that drive innovation and progress within the aerospace field.
9. What are your tips for navigating the technical and business sides of the aerospace industry as a young professional?
I have had the unique experience to work both in the technical aspects of aviation and in the marketing aspect, which is of course, more business inclined. From my experiences, I believe it is important to understand the industry as a whole and this is my top tip in navigating the industry. Not just the engineering aspects, but the way other departments interact to achieve organizational success. I would also advise continuous learning, pursuing relevant certifications, staying updated on trends relating to both commercial and business aviation, and strategic networking.
10. If you could inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders with one piece of wisdom, what would it be?
Dream and imagine as much as possible, but ground your aspirations with action. Always be curious, eager to learn and ready to work. The sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning.
Connect with Annie:
LinkedIn: https://linkedIn.com/in/annie-aerospace
X: https://x.com/annie_aerospace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annie.aerospace
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annie.aerospace