United Airlines’ BIPOC Pilots Prepare HBCU Students for the Flight-Deck
Fifty students from five HBCUs and one PBI visited United Airlines’ Denver training center on June 12 for a hands-on experience designed to increase diversity in aviation.
The students met with more than 30 BIPOC pilots on staff, some of whom were HBCU graduates. Veteran pilot Michael Bonner, who has 40 years of flying experience, spoke with the students. He said his experience of being one of three Black pilots while working out of San Diego led him to participate in this event “to give back and support the next generation of aviators coming to the airlines.”
Additionally, BEACON (Black Excellence Amplified Continuously in Our Network), United’s Black Business Resource Group, supported the event. BEACON’s mission is to celebrate Black voices and employees and foster an inclusive and equitable work environment.
Captain Theresa Claiborne, a recently retired 787 Captain for United Airlines, provided perspective on the need for more Black pilots in the industry. Prior to her retirement last year, Claiborne said, “United Airlines has 15,000-plus pilots; there are 23 of us who are Black women.”
According to United's workforce data, in 2023, 18% of frontline workers were Hispanic/Latino, 15% were Black, 12% were Asian, and 48% were white. United defines frontline workers as pilots, flight attendants, customer service, ramp agents, and technical operations.
Delaware State University has one of the largest HBCU aviation programs: Aviation Program Professional Pilots. In November 2023, DSU signed a formal agreement with United for students to enter United Aviate, a pilot career development program offering aspiring pilots a clear and secure path to becoming professional United pilots.
Elaina Rothwell, a senior on the pilot track at Delaware State University and participant in United Aviate, believes the opportunity to have mentors is important for the next generation to be engaged and understand that aviation is an available pathway.
Rothwell said sometimes you wonder if you belong, so the event was beneficial to see pilots who looked like her.
Visit the FAA-HBCU Initiative Program for more information on how the Federal Aviation Administration is working with HBCUs to create a stronger aviation future.