Page 38 - Appendix A

1988 Black Male SUPT student

What would you say was the percentage of blacks was in your training class?

4%

Describe how the number of minorities in your pilot training environment compared to your
high school, college and home environment (growing up).

It was a complete reversal of the percentages. My high school graduated 453 students.
Possibly 15 students were white. College was more balanced. Home environment was
predominately black with 2 white families living on the street with 2 Latin families

If there was a significant difference describe what impact it had (if any) on your success in
training and why?

A big difference would all too often be that white pilots come from generations of pilots. They
have a family member to query or to have taught them procedures of what to expect prior to

UPT. This could also manifest itself in access to a plane and or a private pilot license prior to
UPT, hence they excelled from the start. Myself and the other black pilot did not have that
generational help to rely on.

In your opinion, does it make a difference, regarding your success, how many other black
pilots are going through training at the same time as you? Why or why not?

It means that you might have someone to relate to. It does make a difference. After the other
black pilot washed out of the program, my class commander [white] spoke to another black
pilot another class to reach out to me. Having someone to see the situation through similar
lenses as yourself helps.

In your opinion, does it make a difference what the racial demographic of your training cadre

or leadership team is? Why or why not? Please share any specific examples from your
experience?

I believe if the leadership team is cognizant of your race, are respectful and communicates
accordingly, it doesn’t matter. To see someone of your own race in that position is uplifting,
however, I would very much appreciate a leader, not of my race who is aware of who I am and
treats everyone equally juxtaposed to someone of my race who is out for themselves at my
expense.