TED Talks Daily How to empower the next generation of pilots | Refilwe Ledwaba
8 snips
Oct 31, 2025 
Refilwe Ledwaba, a commercial airplane and helicopter pilot, is the founder of Girls Fly Africa, which empowers young people, particularly women, in aviation. She shares her inspiring journey from flight attendant to pilot, emphasizing the importance of tailored instruction for overcoming training hurdles. The organization focuses on equipping aspiring pilots with essential skills and networks. Refilwe highlights the significance of increasing female representation in aerospace, discussing the community impact and future ambitions to normalize women in aviation careers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Cabin Crew To Trailblazing Pilot
- Refilwe moved from cabin crew to become South Africa's first Black woman helicopter pilot and later a flight instructor.
- A new instructor redesigned training for her motor-skill gaps and within two flights she mastered hovering and surpassed peers.
Five-Phase Pathway To Aviation Careers
- Girls Fly Africa uses a five-phase model: information, skills, scholarships, networks, and continuous support.
- This long-term approach creates career pathways from exposure to sustained professional growth.
Design Programs From The Learner Backwards
- Design training from the worst-case learner context, then build backwards to fill skill gaps.
- Use simulators and hands-on tech to develop motor skills and spatial reasoning before actual flight.