Volo Missions Hosts Successful 2nd Annual Ladies of Long Line Event
This past week Volo Mission hosted their second annual Ladies of Long Line Event, an event that is held to connect women working in the long line industry with those interested in external load operations and aerial firefighting.
The event is split up into two days, with the first day designated for education and networking, where the attendees get to learn about equipment, hear from a panel of guests and also watch live demonstrations. The second day of the event features more networking, as well as also getting to experience firsthand what it is like to fly vertical reference and a 100-foot long line.
“Ladies of Long Line is a special event for female helicopter pilots who are interested in learning more about the external load industry,” Kim Hutchings, Co-Founder of Volo Mission and Ladies of Long Line said.
“A couple years ago I was thinking about how to get more women involved in the external load industry,” Hutchings added. “I just wanted to include more women in this type of work and show them what it is and how to get them involved.”
With this being the second annual event, Hutchings looked back on last year’s success and how it impacted the event moving into this second year. “We continued with the same model as last year and the same flow. As we’ve gotten more increase from companies in the industry, we’ve decided that we probably will add in another day [to the event] for more education time and for different sessions.”
Hutchings and the great people at Volo Mission weren’t the only ones who thought the first year was a success, as we were also able to speak with Robyn Weisenburger, an attendee who returned for a second year in a row.
“I’ve been apart of the aviation world for about 13 years and it’s just a different feel that you wouldn’t normally get to experience,” Weisenburger said. “Volo Mission gives you an opportunity to actually get in there and try it out, which is very amazing and an incredible experience and the fact that it’s sponsored is very cool!”
“There are so many [reasons to attend], not only the opportunity itself, but also the people that you’re around and the different women you get to meet along the way, that are actually doing this in real life, but to actually get in there for yourself and to be surrounded by people that you can ask questions and really just the community itself is one of the most impactful experiences.”
“If you haven’t gotten the chance, come to Volo Mission and try it out for yourself,” Weisenburger added. “You won’t be disappointed!”
We also got the opportunity to speak with Alexa Dunn, who was attending Ladies of Long Line for the first time.
“It’s been a while since I was able to get back in the industry and meet other female pilots again,” Dunn said. “So it’s been really good to see some familiar faces, some new ones and get to experience something that I just have never done before!”
“If you have the opportunity, absolutely, do it,” Dunn added. “I mean, this is an opportunity that is very hard to get in the industry usually, and Volo Mission’s whole thing is making this available and making this training available, so take advantage of it.”
With each of the first two years being a success and with more and more companies and sponsors hopping on board, Hutchings and her team already have visions on what continuing and growing the event will look like. Whether you’re somebody looking to return for another event or to attend for the first time, it sounds like that option will be available in the near future!
