Attitude towards Women in Fighter Flying Among Aircrew of IAF: A Pilot Study

Indian Air Force (IAF) has been pioneer in the Indian Armed Forces which accepts new technology and concepts readily. Accepting women in fighter flying was the last male bastion in IAF waiting to be demolished which finally happened in 2015. The first batch of women fighter pilots have been inducted into IAF and have started operational flying in the Squadron. It has been shown that at times policy decision leads to change in attitude of a cohort. However, this can be proved only if there are objective data available prior to policy decision and after considerable time of its implementation so that the change can be investigated scientifically. This pilot questionnaire was designed to understand prevalent attitude towards women in fighter flying in IAF. In addition, Attitude towards women Scale was used on the same subjects to understand their attitude and answer of the pilot questionnaire. The aim of this pilot study was to obtain a baseline data for use in the future for evaluating any change in attitude towards women due to change in policy by allowing women in fighter flying. This pilot study was a part of bigger study planned on the subject.