ARLINGTON, Va., July 24,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] is investing
$950,000 in scholarships for pilot
training to grow and diversify talent required to meet significant
long-term demand for commercial airplane pilots.
Boeing is donating $500,000 to
fund 25 scholarships with five aviation organizations committed to
developing future pilots, including:
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Latino Pilots Association
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
- Sisters of the Skies
- Women in Aviation International
Boeing is also donating $450,000
to Fly Compton, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that introduces
minority youth to career opportunities in aerospace. This
investment will increase flight training classes offered to
students in L.A.'s Compton
community and introduce career topics related to designing,
building and maintaining airplanes and drones.
"The demand for qualified and diverse pilots remains high at
airlines worldwide. While becoming a pilot provides a lifelong
career, access to training remains a barrier to entry for many,"
said Ziad Ojakli, executive vice president of Government Operations
at Boeing. "These organizations are helping the next generation of
pilots realize their full potential while also showing communities
that are historically underrepresented in the industry that a
future in aviation is possible."
Long-term demand for newly qualified aviation personnel remains
strong. Boeing projects 602,000 new pilots will be needed to fly
and maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20
years. Boeing will release its latest Pilot and Technician
Outlook on July 25.
"We are seeing more women and individuals from diverse
backgrounds entering the pilot profession because of the mentorship
and guidance that aviation organizations like these provide for
early career professionals," said Chris
Broom, vice president of Commercial Training Solutions for
Boeing Global Services. "The work they're doing to implement
changes needed to remove social and financial barriers to entry are
critical."
Since 2019, Boeing has invested more than $8.5 million to bring pilot training programs to
underrepresented populations in communities across the United
States.
Here are comments from organizations receiving Boeing
funding:
Mark Baker, president and CEO
of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association: "The aviation
community is all about partnerships and coming together around the
shared goal of protecting and growing our passion for flight. This
collaboration is a true embodiment of that spirit and supports our
mission of getting more people into the skies."
Demetrius Harris, Fly Compton
president and executive director: "We are grateful
for the tremendous support from our partners at Boeing. They
continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to breaking down
barriers for minority youth within the aviation industry. At Fly
Compton, we know that lack of exposure, access to resources and the
high cost of flight training prevents underrepresented populations
from exploring careers in aviation. We focus on eliminating these
barriers to entry, and this funding package from Boeing helps us
continue this important work."
Claudia Zapata-Cardone, Latino
Pilots Association president: "It brings us great
joy that Boeing has provided these scholarships to our members.
This award allows us to help them achieve their dreams of flight by
eliminating the financial barriers associated with training. We
look forward to growing and continuing our work with Boeing and
LPA, so all our members can access a profession that otherwise
would be unattainable."
Samantha Whitfield,
Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals executive
director: "Funding flight training is often one of the greatest
barriers for students of color pursuing a pilot career. Scholarship
partners like Boeing provide the much-needed support to fuel the
careers of aspiring aviators. OBAP is proud to join forces with
Boeing as we seek to diversify the aerospace workforce now and in
the future."
Stephanie Grant, Sisters of
the Skies board member and development director and a United
Airlines first officer: "Sisters of the Skies is an
organization of professional black female pilots committed to
improving scholarship opportunities, mentorship, professional
development, and outreach. Being able to support our members
through scholarships like this helps offset the high cost of flight
school and ultimately see these women become professional pilots.
With less than 200 Black female commercial airline pilots
nationwide, we remain focused on increasing this number through the
pillars of our mission."
Stephanie Kenyon, Women in
Aviation International interim CEO: "WAI members appreciate the
longtime scholarship support from The Boeing Company. This year
during our WAI2023 conference in Long
Beach, California, Boeing provided scholarships for career
enhancement, manufacturing skills and flight training. We know that
scholarships change lives and provide our members with the
financial resources to continue pursuing their aviation/aerospace
dreams. As a nonprofit organization, WAI is thankful for Boeing's
commitment to help train the next generation of female
aviators."
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops,
manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products
and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a
top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global
supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and
community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating
for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a
culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and
integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at
boeing.com/careers.
Contact:
Jennifer Non
Boeing Communications
+1 (571) 344-2619
jennifer.c.non@boeing.com
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com
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SOURCE Boeing