By ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas

No matter what area of aviation or aerospace you're in, the Women in Aviation Conference is the place to be March 10-12 in Dallas (TX). Heck, you don't even have to be a woman, just an aviation/aerospace geek like the rest of us.

The theme of this year's conference is "Achieving Individual and Industry Success Through Strategic Alliances." WAI says you can start your strategic alliances... well alliances anyway... with Rose Dorcey and me. We'll be covering the conference from start to finish. We want your input for our conference coverage. Do you think it's better or worse now for females in aviation/aerospace? What position do you hold? Do you have a unique career? How does it feel to be a guy at the conference?

Rose and I want to know. Find us and talk to us. We'll be proudly wearing our Aero-News logo and look forward to meeting with you.

Aside from talking to Rose and I, you can attend one of two tours recently added to the conference schedule courtesy of American Airlines. The Alliance Ft. Worth Maintenance Facility tour and the American Airlines Systems Operation Control Training Facility and C.R. Smith Museum. Details can be found on the WAI website.

If the educational aspect and meeting new people aren't enough reason to join WAI and attend the conference. How about the scholarships? In recent years, hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships have been awarded each year at the conference to members. Only ten years ago, when WAI first started there were two scholarships for $500 each. Two recent additions that will be awarded this year are two Airbus A-320 type ratings valued at $30,000 each. The deadline for the 2005 scholarships have passed but imagine what will be available for next year.

Rose and I will see you there.

FMI www.wai.org