Hampton University Looks to Increase the Number of Black Airline Pilots

There are 71,000 pilots employed by commercial airlines in the United States. Of these, only 674, less than one percent, are black. There are only 14 black female pilots employed by the nation’s commercial airlines.

Hampton University, the historically black educational institution in Virginia, offers flight education training in its department of aviation. Students may also major in aviation administration, air traffic control, and aviation electronics. Tuition for flight education training is an extra $30,000 over and above regular tuition costs. Students who complete the program graduate certified as flight instructors. Five graduates of the program are now pilots for Continental Airlines.

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