About Us...
Whether you are joining us for the first time, or a returning member, we're so grateful you're here!
Big picture, Women in Aviation is a resource for people to use to get dialed in to the aviation industry. We provide scholarships (over $11 million worth of scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the organization), networking, a yearly conference that hosts industry leaders in a job-fair/educational environment, a tight-knit community, and much, much more!
Hopefully you've gotten a good idea of who we are, what we do, and what we hope to do in the future, and we would love for you to join us on the journey! There will be no pressure to pay any money, or sign up for any formal membership, if you simply just want to see what we're about, learn something, or contribute in some way, we'd love to welcome you to our 'ohana! Contact us via the form under the CONTACT tab and we will get back to you soon!
Big picture, Women in Aviation is a resource for people to use to get dialed in to the aviation industry. We provide scholarships (over $11 million worth of scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the organization), networking, a yearly conference that hosts industry leaders in a job-fair/educational environment, a tight-knit community, and much, much more!
Hopefully you've gotten a good idea of who we are, what we do, and what we hope to do in the future, and we would love for you to join us on the journey! There will be no pressure to pay any money, or sign up for any formal membership, if you simply just want to see what we're about, learn something, or contribute in some way, we'd love to welcome you to our 'ohana! Contact us via the form under the CONTACT tab and we will get back to you soon!
Our Board Members...
Bailey Lum
Vice President
Aloha! I was born and raised in Hawaii and grew up on the beautiful islands of Oahu and Kauai. I love to take my dogs on adventures, spend time with friends and family, surf, cook, and binge a good Netflix series. My interest in aviation began when my mom became a flight attendant. I was lucky enough to travel with her on work trips and experience the flexible, fun lifestyle aviation has to offer which peaked my interest in becoming a pilot. After highschool, I worked on my family’s farm in Kahuku while completing my pilot certificates at a Part 61 flight school at Kalealoa Airport. In 2019, I began flying Cessna Caravans for a local inter-island cargo company called Kamaka Air and upgraded to Captain in 2021. My goal is to fly for a major airline one day! My biggest challenge in becoming a pilot has been finding funds for training and not having a clue where to start. Through the help of friends I made in the aviation community, I slowly found my way. It is my hope that through the WAI: Aloha Chapter I can show local kids that a career in aviation is more than possible, encourage a culture around hard work and safety, and create a community in Hawaii where aviation doesn’t seem so daunting to a newcomer.
Vice President
Aloha! I was born and raised in Hawaii and grew up on the beautiful islands of Oahu and Kauai. I love to take my dogs on adventures, spend time with friends and family, surf, cook, and binge a good Netflix series. My interest in aviation began when my mom became a flight attendant. I was lucky enough to travel with her on work trips and experience the flexible, fun lifestyle aviation has to offer which peaked my interest in becoming a pilot. After highschool, I worked on my family’s farm in Kahuku while completing my pilot certificates at a Part 61 flight school at Kalealoa Airport. In 2019, I began flying Cessna Caravans for a local inter-island cargo company called Kamaka Air and upgraded to Captain in 2021. My goal is to fly for a major airline one day! My biggest challenge in becoming a pilot has been finding funds for training and not having a clue where to start. Through the help of friends I made in the aviation community, I slowly found my way. It is my hope that through the WAI: Aloha Chapter I can show local kids that a career in aviation is more than possible, encourage a culture around hard work and safety, and create a community in Hawaii where aviation doesn’t seem so daunting to a newcomer.
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Lisa Sochocki
Web Master I’m not your average 700 hour pilot. Unlike many new aviators I found aviation later in life. Beginning as a 35 years old with a 1.5 year old at home I unexpectedly threw my heart and soul into aviation. On a whim I took a discovery flight at PHJR and knew from that moment forward my heart belonged in the sky.I did all this, while at the same time, owning and managing Yoga Loft Hawai’i for 11 years. I juggled the yoga studio with 17 employees, my home life as a new mom and my passion for flying and aviation training. Often times I felt like I had the cards stacked against me as a pilot, but I never gave up. Flying three times a week to start, quickly became a full time position as I sacrificed my family (grateful for a supportive husband) and studio for my hearts longing; aviation. Grit and determination brought me to California (with my daughter) to complete my Instrument, Commercial and CFI rating. I was hired by Pacific Flight Academy here in Hawaii and have settled into this new and exciting chapter. I'm incredibly grateful to be apart of the WAI community supporting other women in Aviation in their journey and grateful to be part of the WAI Aloha Chapter Board, offering my skills in web design and beyond. 
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Bethany Duncan Outreach Chair I am a pilot of 18 years with lots of experience in part 61, 91, 135 and 141 flying. My ultimate goal is to round out my flying with some 121 hours! If that does not make sense to you, go back and re-read your FARAIM. :) I moved to Oahu a year ago alongside my military husband and his flying job, just like I have for the past 13 years. He, my dog, my son and I are so excited to be staying in "cruise flight" in Hawaii for the long haul while we grow our family and our flying experiences. My goal for WAI as the Outreach Chair is to 1) SERVE. I want to find creative and inventive ways that we can share our skills and passions (aviation related and otherwise) through service. 2) SPREAD ALOHA. I want our forecast for the way we move about as a group to be one that shows ALOHA wherever we go and whatever we put our hands to, be it in the air or on the ground; in this I hope we can inspire women and girls to enter into the wonderful world of aviation! 3) CONNECT. I desire to create opportunities to connect with each other and to the community in a way that service, sacrifice, and achievement can provide. Please reach out if you have an area or an idea where WAI Aloha Chapter can do just this! |
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Caitlyn Van Lier Ribbink
Fundraising Chair From sea to sky! I grew up in Chicago and spent most of my 20’s as a 100 Ton Master Captain on the Great Lakes. I spent most winters traveling and once I visited Hawaii, I knew that’s where I belonged. As fate would have it, love brought me back. After deciding to depart the maritime industry, my husband suggested a discovery flight to see if flying interested me. Though I felt the fear and uncertainty of switching careers, I gave it a shot and I’m over the moon that I’m now on this incredible path. I earned my ratings, Private Pilot to CFI, in HNL. I built most of my hours flying Cessna Caravans inter-island as a “loader” then Captain for Kamaka Air, a part 135 cargo company. I’m proud and honored to be a part of Women in Aviation! I look forward to learning from fellow members, while offering friendship and guidance to anyone in the industry who may need it. If I had to pinpoint one thing that eased the progression from hour zero to now, it would be the unique camaraderie found amongst pilots. I want aspiring aviators, in all stages of life, to know how possible it is to take to the skies. As Fundraising Chair, I will strive to help the WAI Aloha Chapter achieve its goals and meaningfully impact our local aviation community |
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