News

Less Than 2% of Pilots Currently Flying Are Black

Jamie Jackson
August 9, 2022

This undated photo provided by Louisiana National Guard shows Louisiana Army National Guard Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien in front of her National Guard helicopter. The Louisiana Army National Guard has commissioned its first Black female pilot. Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien of New Orleans pilots a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in B Company, 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion, which is based in Hammond. She says in a news release that she had no idea she'd be a trailblazer when she asked for the training. (Louisiana National Guard via AP)

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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:

Jamie Jackson is an Emmy-nominated television and radio broadcaster who has served American Urban Radio Networks since 2015. He previously covered the Obama and Trump administrations as a White House Correspondent and Pool Reporter for AURN News. Jamie hosted a national PBS television special in 2023 and over the years has worked as a TV news anchor and local NPR host for stations across the country. His work has been honored by numerous organizations, including the NAACP and the Virginia Farm Bureau.