This article presents part of the results of a study developed with the first Brazilian Air Force women pilots. Its objective was to investigate how they experience the career until then prohibited to women, how they perceive the hierarchy and power relations typical of that professional realm, and what they project for their future. We interviewed six women pilots, whose reports were audio recorded, transcribed, and submitted to discourse analysis. Such analysis pointed to the fact that contemporary and traditional patterns of behavior coexist. At the same time those women invest in a pioneering professional career and search for financial independence, they continue to dream about marriage and motherhood in traditional formats, reinforcing the idea that women are the main responsible for household care and for raising and educating the children.
women pilots; identity; brazilian air force