Page 5 - Appendix A

2005 Black Male SUPT student

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

My pilot training class was 0.04 percent African American. I was the only one out of 26
students.

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

There were less minorities in my pilot training class (0.12% or 3/26) than my environment at
home, in high school, or in college. I was used to a more diverse setting.

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

For me, I felt like I had to “carry the torch” which caused me to put more unwarranted pressure
on myself. I know for a fact that it caused me to perform negatively. No one actually looked at

me like I was supposed to fail, but I always felt as though there were thinking it or expecting it.
So I overcompensated for it, wrestling with the demons in my own mind and it caused me to
NOT perform at my best.

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?

I believe it did back when I was in pilot training, but since I had to go through it on my own, I
had to learn to be successful and perform well and learn well from those around me regardless.
So my pilot training experience forced me to grow out of that kind of thinking.

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?

Again, not anymore but it used to. I do feel a heightened sense of pride when I see men and
women of color in leadership positions, but I don’t expect anything different from them or
suspect that they will act a certain way just because they are a minority like myself.

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?

Personally, I think there is enough of a perception of a difference that a weaker person can
allow the demons in their own head to defeat them. I think just enough “space” is given to

identify if the pilot training student is going to let the perception deteriorate their performance