Story ID: 
Boeing Awards More Flight Training Scholarships
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Boeing is providing $950,000 in scholarships to expand and diversify the pilot workforce.
Word Count: 248
Boeing announced this morning that it is providing $950,000 in pilot training via scholarships to five general aviation organizations and support for Fly Compton, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that introduces minority youth to career opportunities in aerospace. Since 2019, Boeing has invested more than $8.5 million to bring pilot training programs to underrepresented populations across the U.S.
“The demand for qualified and diverse pilots remains high at airlines worldwide,” said Ziad Ojaki, Boeing executive v-p of government relations. “While becoming a pilot provides a lifelong career, access to training remains a barrier to entry for many.” Boeing projects the need for 602,000 new pilots to meet global commercial demand over the next 20 years. It will reveal a more detailed outlook when it releases its annual “Pilot and Technician Outlook” tomorrow.
As part of its latest $950,000 grant, Boeing will provide $500,000 for 25 scholarships through the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Latina Pilots Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the Skies, and Women in Aviation International. It will also fund Fly Compton with $450,000. Fly Compton offers flight training classes to students in the Los Angeles Compton community and introduces career topics related to designing, building, and maintaining manned and unmanned aircraft.
“We are seeing more women and individuals of diverse backgrounds entering the pilot profession because of the mentorship and guidance that aviation organizations like these provide for early-career professionals,” said Chris Broom, Boeing Global Services v-p for commercial training solutions.