The Spark: Reykjavik, January 2023
The air in Reykjavik was biting, but inside, the conversation was electric. Cordula Pflaum was in Iceland to train crews for Icelandair. During a nice evening with Linda Gunnarsdóttir, the airline’s Chief Pilot, and her colleague Inga across the table FIPMeetup was born.
As they talked, a striking realization emerged: while they were the ones at the front of the aircraft or leading high-stakes simulator sessions, they were rarely in the same room together. They swapped stories of "the line", the unique pressures of command, the nuances of training, and the resilience required to lead in a male dominated industry. By the end of the evening, a powerful question took hold: “Why aren’t we doing this with more of us? Imagine what we could change if we did.”
The Launch: Bamberg, November 2023
Ten months later, that vision became a reality in the historic city of Bamberg. It wasn’t a massive convention; it was an intimate, focused "think tank" of six pioneers from Germany, Iceland, and Spain. This is when Fátima Ginard joins the team.
Five sat around a table while one joined via screen, bridging the distance to lay the foundation for Elevate the Line. They realized that their collective decades of cockpit experience held the key to solving leadership challenges far beyond the simulator. What began as a cozy dinner in Iceland had officially evolved into a mission: to redefine leadership, training and psychological safety for everyone.
We are thrilled to launch the new Female Instructor Pilots platform, a community built by women in aviation training, for women in aviation.
Our mission is simple: connect, inspire, and support female flight instructors across the world. Whether you're a seasoned CFI or just starting your instructing journey, you belong here.
What to expect
A directory of female flight instructors you can discover and connect with.
News and updates from the FIP community.
Events, both virtual and in-person, designed for us.
We're just getting started. Stay tuned for more!
About Elevate the Line
Empowering women in aviation and the future of flight training.
Where it all started
Meet the Team
Cordula Pflaum
Founder & Captain/TRI/TRE A350/380 Lufthansa
With over 35 years as an airline pilot and Training Captain on the Airbus A350 and A380, Cordula Pflaum does more than fly passengers from A to B. She is a dedicated expert in psychological safety, leadership, and high-performance teams.
Through her work with the Human Factors Academy and the international AO Foundation, Cordula brings aviation’s rigorous safety standards to the medical sector and various business units across the DACH region. As a long-standing expert in peer support (Critical Incident Stress Management), she helps organizations integrate proactive mental health solutions and error management into their daily culture.
Her recent book, “Guten Tag, hier spricht Ihre Kapitänin” (2024), explores her journey as a female pilot and her battle against prejudice in a high-stakes industry.
Linda Gunnarsdottir
Founder & Chief Pilot Icelandair, Captain/TRI/TRE B757/767
Linda Gunnarsdottir’s aviation journey began in 1993, earning her pilot’s license through studies in both Arizona and her native Iceland. Over the past three decades, she has flown a diverse range of aircraft across the globe while also earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Reykjavik.
Linda joined Iceland’s flag carrier, Icelandair, 27 years ago. Since 2019, she has served as an instructor and examiner for the Boeing 757 and 767 fleets. Today, as Chief Pilot, she leads a team of over 600 pilots.
Under her leadership, Icelandair has achieved a female pilot ratio of 14%, one of the highest percentages of any major airline in the world, marking a significant milestone for gender diversity in the flight deck.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Linda is the proud mother of three children. An avid traveler, she enjoys exploring the world with her family during her time off.
Fátima Ginard
Founder & Captain/TRI A320 Vueling
With over 20 years experience as an airline pilot, Captain and Flight Instructor at Vueling, Fátima has spent years navigating the European skies while ensuring the highest standards of safety and crew coordination. Her career in aviation is defined by a commitment to operational excellence and a passion for mentoring the next generation of pilots.
She is dedicated to fostering a cockpit environment where psychological safety and professional growth go hand in hand, helping junior pilots transition into high-pressure commercial roles with confidence.
A vocal advocate for gender equality in the flight deck, Fatima works to increase the visibility of women in aviation. By sharing her journey and addressing the challenges of the industry, she aims to inspire more women to pursue careers in aviation and dismantle long-standing stereotypes.
Whether commanding an aircraft or leading a training session, Fatima’s mission is to promote a more inclusive and transparent aviation culture. She continues to be a driving force for progress, ensuring that talent and passion are the only requirements for a career in the skies.