Diversity in Aviation
Why These Organizations Exist
The numbers tell the story:
- Less than 6% of U.S. airline pilots are women
- Less than 5% of U.S. airline pilots are Black
- Less than 5% of U.S. airline pilots are Latino
Aviation has a representation problem that the industry itself acknowledges. Airlines, manufacturers, and government agencies have explicit diversity hiring goals — but the pipeline of qualified candidates from underrepresented groups remains thin.
Three organizations are building that pipeline: WAI (Women in Aviation International), OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals), and LPA (Latino Professionals in Aerospace). Together, they award over $1.3 million in scholarships annually and provide mentorship, career exposure, and community that students can't find elsewhere.
These organizations cover the full spectrum of aviation careers — not just piloting, but maintenance, dispatch, engineering, management, and more.
Important: While these organizations focus on specific communities, most welcome allies and members of all backgrounds. WAI scholarships, for example, are open to all genders.
Organization Directory
| Organization | Community | Annual Scholarships | Key Programs | Standout Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAI | Women and allies in aviation/aerospace | $883K (121 awards in 2024) | Scholarships for flight, maintenance, dispatch, and engineering; annual conference; mentorship matching | Largest diversity-focused aviation scholarship source; open to all genders |
| OBAP | Black aerospace professionals | $200K+ ($5.9M total to 490+ recipients) | Solo Flight Academy (ages 16–19, zero to solo in 2 weeks); ACE Academies (youth exposure); collegiate chapters | Solo Flight Academy is a life-changing 2-week intensive — zero experience to solo flight |
| LPA | Latino/Hispanic aerospace professionals | $200K+ | Mentorship network; regional chapters; scholarships for flight, maintenance, engineering | Grew from 5 founders (2015) to 2,500+ members in under a decade |
Where to Start
By Career and Community
| If You Are… | Start Here | Also Consider |
|---|---|---|
| A woman interested in aviation | WAI — 121 scholarships across all aviation careers | EAA, AOPA (for flight-specific resources) |
| Black and interested in aviation | OBAP — Solo Flight Academy + scholarships | NSBE (if pursuing engineering) |
| Latino/Hispanic in aviation | LPA — mentorship + scholarships | SHPE (if pursuing engineering) |
| Ages 16–19, Black, interested in flying | OBAP Solo Flight Academy — apply immediately | AOPA $10K scholarship, EAA Young Eagles |
| Any student seeking aviation scholarships | WAI — broadest coverage, open to all | AOPA, EAA (additional scholarship sources) |
The OBAP Solo Flight Academy
This deserves special attention. OBAP's Solo Flight Academy takes teenagers aged 16–19 with zero flight experience through two weeks of intensive ground school and flight training, culminating in a solo flight. You go from never having touched an airplane to flying one by yourself.
The psychological impact of soloing an aircraft as a teenager — the confidence, the proof that you can do hard things, the permanent identity shift — is profound. Spots are limited. If you qualify, this should be at the top of your list.
Stack Your Applications
These organizations are complementary, not exclusive. A Black woman studying aerospace engineering could apply to:
- OBAP scholarships (aviation career focus)
- WAI scholarships (121 awards, broadest coverage)
- NSBE scholarships (engineering career focus, discussed in Diversity in Engineering)
- AIAA scholarships (technical merit)
There is no rule against applying to multiple organizations. Stack every application you're eligible for.