Seeking Diversity In The Aviation Industry
Through a joint program
established in 2002 between Tuskegee University and Kansas State
University, Salina, Chrystal Cole-Bridges became Tuskegee's first
woman pilot in about six decades, as well as one of a small number
of black female aviators in the US.
Her achievement -- being the first female graduate of the joint
program -- comes nearly five years after meeting a pair of Tuskegee
Airmen on a campus visit, reported the Montgomery Advertiser. She
was considering a career in aviation but, like all college-bound
students, choosing in which college to enroll.
She recalled that the Airmen told her, "If this is something you
really want to do, you can do it. Don't let anything stand in your
way."
The renowned Tuskegee Airmen achieved several records during
WWII. Not only did the group not lose a single bomber it was
escorting in more than 200 combat missions (although that statement
has been disputed) members also destroyed more than 260 enemy
aircraft, and won over 850 medals. The airmen's volunteer actions
to fight for democracy overseas came while they were being denied
civil rights at home.
"It has definitely not been clear skies, but every single
struggle was worth it," Cole-Bridges said. "It was something that
was my passion, so I was willing to do whatever it took."
"These airmen have paved the road for me and a lot of
African-American aviators today," she added. "It is up to my
generation to pass this legacy on ... I am thankful I am in the
position to do so."
According to Tuskegee University's website, Mildred Hemmons
Carter became the first black woman to graduate from the cadet
pilot training program at Tuskegee in 1941, and the first in
Alabama to be awarded a pilot's license.
Although more blacks have gone on to pursue a career in aviation
since then, there are few black female pilots -- just 140 out of
124,825, or about 0.1 percent of the pilot population in the US,
according to 2002 census data. There were 1,925 black male pilots,
or 1.5 percent.
Cole-Bridges, in a recent interview with The Associated Press,
said a lack of education and economic barriers may prevent blacks
from pursuing aviation careers. She said it's important to educate
young people about the field.
"You just can't start when they're in high school or going to
college -- you have to start when they're young," said
Cole-Bridges, who also has an engineering degree and now works as a
design engineer at Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS.
Although she is concentrating on engineering for now,
Cole-Bridges hopes to earn enough flight hours to become a
commercial pilot.
Cole-Bridges flew her first plane at 19 and graduated December
8, 2006, at KSU, where Tuskegee Airman Col. George Boyd presented
her with a certificate recognizing her accomplishments.
While the majority of
airline pilots historically come from the military, others are
coming from university/collegiate programs and flight schools,
according to KSU aviation department head Marlon Johnston.
According to the University Aviation Association, there are 114
aviation-related programs, with 88 that specifically offer flight
training.
Under the joint Tuskegee and Kansas State program, students earn
a bachelor's degree from Tuskegee in aerospace engineering as well
as a degree as a professional pilot at KSU during the summer.
Students complete coursework in Tuskegee during the regular
academic year and then come to Kansas State up to three consecutive
summers to attend classes and have their flight training.
"This is a daunting challenge and only the most dedicated
students can accomplish this," Johnston said. "Chrystal was only
the second student to fulfill this opportunity, which is a credit
to her personal drive and professional attitude."
"Whether she was in the classroom, cockpit or community,
Chrsytal represented herself, Tuskegee and K-State well," Johnston
said.
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