Page 22 - Appendix A

instructors in UPT. It was nice to at least know that they were there supporting me, even if
they were in different flights.

There were several things that truly helped during UPT. The AA instructor corps developed an

unofficial mentoring program where they kept an eye on us. Also, I had an AA female student
who was six months ahead of me. It really helped to have her there.

In your opinion, or based on your experience, is there a difference for a black person going
through pilot training compared to a white person? If so, do you feel that the difference
positively or negatively impacts the success of black student pilots?

Yes! Fitting in culturally, knowing you can make it, instructors are more inclined to feel
comfortable, give you a break and cut you some slack. For example, I asked to attend my
sister’s High School graduation and was harshly criticized by the white instructors for even

asking. I know that sometimes it just isn’t possible, but I believed that it should be okay to at
least ask. The instructors were very formal and kept a distance from me. We did not socialize.
Several made it known that they did not regard me highly, or think that I belonged there. Last
year I spoke with one of my USAFA classmates who is currently an O-6 in the AF Reserve and
went to a different UPT base. During UPT he had broken up with his girlfriend (now his current
wife). The instructors TOOK HIM OUT DRINKING (whaaaaatttt???? Say again???) during UPT,
which they apparently did on a regular basis he told me (against the rules???). They told him
that they were very worried about him and that he should take as much time off as he needed
to get his head back in the game. Current day mental health discussions aside—and keeping in
mind that I also broke up with my boyfriend during UPT, and I wasn’t allowed to go to a
legitimate function! My jaw dropped open at this revelation and still remains wide open to this

day! The rankings receive affect the airplane that you receive and help to propel your career. I
think that this really put me at a disadvantage.

Describe/detail the flight training you had (if any) before Air Force flight training (ACE camps,
Young Eagles incentive flights, ground school, etc. and describe how it may have impacted
your success in Air Force flight training.

I completed the soaring/USAFA glider program. I actually washed out of this program because I
could not find an instructor to take me on and be my permanent instructor. It was almost as if
they were repelled by the idea of having me as a student. This still makes me sad. I also had a

T-43 navigation training flight—one or two maybe. I soloed in the Cessna 172 in the USAFA T-
41 program. I completed USAFA jump school and earned my jump wings in the elective class. I
had one orientation flight prior to starting USAFA (as a civilian that my parents paid for) to see if
I was really interested in aviation. With all of this, I was much more prepared than I would have
been otherwise, but I struggled in UPT and was 24/25 in my class. I was so grateful to receive a