Globally, it is estimated that the percentage of the world’s airline pilots who are female vary in the range from between four and six per cent according to CAPA – Centre for Aviation.

The low representation of women in the flight profession is a complex issue stemming from a combination of factors, including cultural biases, lack of female role models and high-priced training costs.

Other factors include challenges in balancing family and career, as well as a perception of the industry as already male-dominated.

On these cultural biases, Captain Martin Ririani, a veteran Kenyan pilot with experience spanning over 50 years in the aviation industry reveals that the culture of women sitting while ‘crossing their legs’ is sending many out of the cockpit.

Though the exact origins of women crossing their legs while sitting is unclear, it is most certainly a by-product of our society’s desire for “modest” women according to Captain Ririani.

Captain Ririani, the founder of Kenya School of Flying (KSOF) narrates that African and Asian ladies are the most affected by this culture.

“It took a lot of pain to discover the special attention that should be given to this unique group of students,” Captain Ririani says.

In the year 1997, Kenya School of Flying received a group of Kenya Airwing beginner cadets, among them 2 ladies. Captain Ririani says that after the initial evaluation and termination of the weak ones, they were left with a very talented group, one of them was a lady who was exceptionally bright and gifted.

“She showed signs of achieving ‘first solo’ before all others,” says Captain Ririani.

Final decision

“The lady flew beautiful circuits. However, once the aircraft was on finals, problems started. She was unable to hold the centreline and the aircraft could not settle on the runway after landing,” the captain adds.

According to Ririani, all other instructors were giving up on her.

“She was referred to me to make the final decision to either terminate or continue. Her aviation knowledge was above average and she flew perfect circuits but problems started on finals,” says Ririani.

Captain Ririani recalls that the aircraft was yawing left to right and this continued to the landing, the problem continued and frustration was piling up.

“Before giving up, I decided on finals to think out of the box. I watched her from head down to her legs, to my surprise, I found her knees were cemented together,” reveals Captain Ririani.

This, according to the Kenya School of Flying Flight Instructor Captain John Maingi, is a big problem.

“The aircraft is controlled with three blades and when girls sit crossing their legs, it makes it difficult for them to control the radar. The solution is for them to relearn the practice though it is a painful experience,” says Captain Maingi.

Captain Maingi says for over 30 years, the Kenya School of Flying has continued to train and nurture women and men in equal measure as pilots and currently, they have opened an Aeronautical engineering department.

Other risks

After the problem was discovered, the female pilot had to learn to relax her entire legs and being in a trouser helped.

“It is an African and Asian culture that ladies sit with their knees together for ‘decency’ purposes. This culture is drilled on the girls from an early age and it becomes second nature to them,” says Ririani.

After the ‘diagnosis’ of the problem, the female pilot finally attained her first solo and went on to become a successful police pilot.

“To the instructors, as you give your briefings, watch how she is sitting,” the flying ace points out knowingly.

Apart from kicking girls out of the cockpit, studies by therapists points that sitting cross-legged at the knee can have harmful effects such as increased spinal torsion, risk of scoliosis and spinal deformities, and increased rotation of the pelvis.

Additionally, research has also shown that crossing legs (even at the ankle) can also increase blood pressure as well as the risk of blood clots.