TED Business How to empower the next generation of pilots | Refilwe Ledwaba
6 snips
Feb 2, 2026 
Refilwe Ledwaba, a pioneering helicopter and airplane pilot and founder of Girls Fly Africa, talks about transforming barriers into pathways for young people, especially women. She describes tailored mentorship, hands-on training with simulators and 3D projects, scholarships to tackle cost, and building networks that turn trainees into professionals.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Turning Point Hover Success
- Refilwe Ledwaba struggled with a helicopter maneuver called hovering and nearly left the program.
- A new instructor learned her background and redesigned training so she mastered it within two flights.
Context Shapes Teaching Effectiveness
- Contextual teaching matters because learners bring varied life experiences that affect skills.
- Small adjustments outside the syllabus can unlock talent that standard methods miss.
Build Five-Phase Support Programs
- Identify barriers and design multi-phase programs addressing information, skills, cost, networks, and ongoing support.
- Provide simulators, scholarships, job connections, and continuous mentorship to sustain career progression.