Advanced Air Mobility: Increasing Diversity in the Aviation Workforce

The aviation industry has long grappled with a lack of gender and racial diversity among commercial airline pilots. Worldwide today, less than 5 percent of commercial pilots are women, and in the United States, more than 91 percent of pilots and flight engineers are from non-ethnic backgrounds. In an initiative to shift this status quo, the emergence of Advanced Air Mobility such as air taxis, eVTOLs, and other small, non-traditional aircraft gives rise to new opportunities to bring much-needed diversity to this field.

What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) refers to the next generation of air transportation. Traditional commercial aviation primarily focuses on large aircraft with single or multiple engines flying between major airports. AAM encompasses a broader range of vehicles, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, drones, and other urban air mobility solutions. These vehicles promise a transportation system evolution by providing efficient, point-to-point travel for both people and goods within cities and suburban areas.

Challenges to Aviation Workforce Diversity

Historically, the aviation industry has struggled for diversity within its workforce. This challenge is exacerbated by the growing demand to fill open pilot positions since the COVID-19 era and recent difficulties faced by major airlines. Initiatives aimed at increasing diversity have faced a variety of challenges as well. Notably, this misperception of pilots has the potential to discourage new applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. Breaking these stereotypes is crucial to attracting a more diverse pool of candidates, as representation encourages and inspires a new generation of aircraft professionals.

Additionally, part of the lack of diversity has been brought on by the significant financial investment required to become a pilot. Training costs, flight hours, and licensing fees can be prohibitive for many aspiring pilots, especially those from marginalized communities or struggling due to socio-economic reasons.

How AAM Can Improve Diversity

AAM could be a game-changer for pilot diversity. According to the CAE, “new training technologies and methodologies will shift the training paradigm towards affordability and scalability while keeping safety paramount for the unique challenges of Advanced Air Mobility.” With more localized operations and diverse applications such as air taxis and medical transport, pilots can pursue careers that keep them close to home, avoiding time-zone changes and nights away from their families.

Additionally, with AAM availability, pilots won't be limited to major airlines and their highly competitive positions. The emergence of new startup companies and regional operators is increasing the need for AAM pilots, creating opportunities for a broader range of applicants, especially in 2025 when planned launches of this new aviation system are expected to begin.

Similarly, AAM is likely to introduce a new perspective on aviation. As these aircraft become commonplace, the image of a pilot could shift from current stereotypes to a more inclusive and modern representation that reaches more diverse demographics.

Benefits of a Diverse Aviation Workforce

A diverse workforce brings varied perspectives that lead to innovative solutions. AAM's rapid and complex development requires adaptability, creative thinking, efficiency, and safety considerations, making diversity essential in this area of aviation, as different viewpoints can drive industrial impact and widen the scope of the industry. Advanced Air Mobility presents an opportunity to transform aviation's demographics and create new pathways for pilots and flight engineers from all backgrounds to be successful in the space. Embracing diversity can not only address historical disparities but also advance a more innovative and safer future for aviation.

Aviation Programs at Capitol Tech

Capitol Technology University has developed an innovative platform for aspiring pilots to achieve their career goals. With our Bachelor of Science in Aviation Professional Pilot program, students gain not only the certification and flight training needed to become a pilot – they also obtain their bachelor’s degree – which is a unique benefit of our program and puts graduates at a great advantage in the job marketplace.

Help transform the future of the aviation industry today by joining Capitol Tech!

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