You may have seen the headlines about a pilot shortage here in the U.S., but did you know that only 1.2% of pilots are Black? According to Zippia.com, that’s the case. The data also shows that it is the lowest percentage since 2010. The largest was back in 2017 at almost 2.5%. Black pilots are also paid less than white pilots. They make a little over $106,000, while white pilots make almost $110,000.
According to NBC News, Delta Airlines recently hired Eric Hendrick, a retired Navy pilot who attended HBCU Norfolk State University, to serve as the airline’s first-ever director of pilot outreach. In the role, he will hire more diverse pilots and also lead the Propel, their career pathways program, that will specifically create more opportunities for young Black pilots.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
