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Exploring the Challenges Faced by Minorities and Women in Pursuing Commercial Pilot Careers in the Aviation Industry By: Name Presented to: Dr. Name - Instructor

Executive Summary The aviation industry has historically been male dominated, with women and minorities significantly underrepresented in commercial pilot roles. This study aims to identify and understand the persistent barriers that hinder women and minorities from pursuing careers as commercial pilots. The qualitative research utilizes open-ended questionnaires to gather anonymous responses from female and minority participants employed in the aviation sector. Key themes from existing literature include consumer biases favoring white male pilots and workforce data revealing a consistent lack of diversity across aviation occupations. By focusing on firsthand accounts, this study seeks to gain deeper insights into the experiences and challenges faced by marginalized groups in the industry. The anticipated results suggest that women and minority pilots face several challenges, including a lack of representation and role models, gender and racial bias, financial obstacles, and instances of stereotypes and discrimination. These barriers negatively impact their confidence, sense of belonging within the industry, and overall career trajectory. Recommendations for addressing these issues include elevating female and minority pilots to leadership roles, implementing support systems and mentorship programs, addressing financial obstacles through scholarships or grants, incorporating mandatory diversity training programs, and evaluating the efficacy of diversity initiatives. Future research should consider a larger scope of participants beyond the United States and exploring the challenges faced by other underrepresented groups in aviation.

Exploring the Challenges Faced by Minorities and Women in Pursuing Commercial Pilot Careers in the Aviation Industry Problem Statement The realm of aviation and aerospace has classically been known for being male dominated, lacking in diverse representation from women and minorities. These fields have struggled to break down barriers and boost inclusivity, specifically in commercial pilot roles. Even though strides have been made towards reducing hurdles and supporting diversity, Women in Aviation International (2021) findings and Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023) data highlight that women encompass less than 10% of commercial pilots, while African Americans account for under 3% and Asians for under 2%. This underrepresentation doesn't solely limit the industry's talent pool, but also raises concerns about equal opportunities in aviation professions for individuals of every gender and ethnicity. The problem to be explored in this study is the identification and understanding of the persistent barriers that continue to preclude women and minorities from pursuing and thriving in aviation/aerospace careers, specifically as commercial pilots. An understanding of these barriers is essential for developing effective strategies and interventions that can foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce within the aviation/aerospace industries. Failure to address this issue may result in a continued lack of diversity among commercial pilots, which could hinder innovation, limit perspectives, and ultimately impact the overall growth and success of these industries. Intent The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the challenges and barriers faced by minorities and women entering the aviation industry, specifically in commercial pilot roles. Utilizing the open-ended questionnaire allows for anonymous responses, encouraging

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participants to provide honest feedback about their experiences. Aviation organizations committed to diversity and inclusivity, as well as airlines and flight schools, will receive open- ended surveys. Only female or minority members employed in the aviation sector will be given these questionnaires for data gathering purposes. Diving deeper into the aviation industry, our research aims to gain insight from those who have experienced marginalization due to their gender or minority status. By analyzing the responses, common themes and barriers can be identified, providing valuable insights into the factors that contribute to underrepresentation in commercial pilot roles. This feedback will help aviation stakeholders develop targeted strategies and interventions aimed at increasing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment within the industry. Research Question What are the key challenges and barriers faced by minorities and women in pursuing and developing careers as commercial pilots within the aviation industry? Literature Themes The underrepresentation of minorities and women in the aviation industry, specifically in commercial pilot roles, has been a persistent issue that has gained increasing attention in recent years. The problem's prevalence is evident through various studies highlighting the lack of diversity in this sector (Stevenson et al., 2020a; Stevenson et al., 2020b). Researchers have taken different approaches to understand and address this issue, with some focusing on consumer biases, while others examine workforce data to identify trends and potential solutions. One major theme in the literature revolves around the role of customer bias in perpetuating barriers for minorities and women in aviation. Ragbir et al. (2021) conducted a study investigating consumer perceptions of gender and ethnic bias towards commercial airline

pilots and flight students in the United States. Their findings indicated that participants favored white male pilots in all conditions, with female and ethnic pilots generally viewed as less favorable. This research suggests that overt biases are present towards pilots, potentially influencing hiring processes for female and minority pilots. Another theme prevalent in the literature is the examination of workforce data to understand trends in diversity within aviation occupations. Stevenson et al. (2020a) analyzed data from the United States Census Bureau, revealing a consistent lack of racial diversity across aviation occupations and specialized training professions. Their study also highlighted an erratic trend for black pilots compared to relatively stable trends for white pilots, warranting further investigation into underlying causes. Similarly, Stevenson et al. (2020b) focused on gender disparities within aviation occupations by analyzing Census Bureau data. They found that females still comprise a very small percentage of the total workforce across aviation occupations. The authors suggest that attracting more females to consider careers in aviation could help solve labor shortages and recommend future research to identify viable strategies aimed at breaking down barriers to recruitment and retention of women in aviation. While these studies provide valuable insights into the current state of diversity within the aviation industry, this research approach aims to directly listen to the perspectives of minorities and women in this field. By creating a questionnaire for individuals identifying as minorities or women currently working within the aviation industry, it is possible to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and challenges. This approach differs from existing research by focusing on firsthand accounts, allowing to identify common themes and barriers directly from those affected.

Data Collection and Analysis Plan : According to the Federal Aviation Administration (2023), there are over 270,000 certified commercial and air transport pilots as of December 31, 2022. Women represent less than 7% of that number. Considering data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023) and estimating that approximately 2.6% of the pilots hired in 2022 are African American, 1.6% are Asian, and 9.7% are Hispanic or Latino, it can be estimated that less than 57,000 pilots certified by the FAA are women, African American, Asian or Hispanic. Considering 57,000 as the population size and utilizing Krejcie & Morgan’s (1970) formula for determining sample size, 382 survey responses should provide a comprehensive overview of the groups’ perceptions. The questionnaire will begin by gathering demographic information on participants' age range, gender, race/ethnicity, current employment status in the aviation industry, years of experience in the field, type of organization they work for or are affiliated with, and their highest level of education completed, as shown in Table 1. This information will help provide context to the participants' responses and allow for a better understanding of any trends or patterns that may emerge. Table 2 illustrates the open-ended questionnaire that will focus on pilot perceptions to understand possible challenges they face. Analysis will consist of identifying common themes and patterns in the answers given by participants. This approach will allow to gain a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to underrepresentation in commercial pilot roles from the perspectives of those directly affected. By analyzing these firsthand accounts, this research aims to uncover insights that can inform targeted strategies and interventions for fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment within the aviation/aerospace industries.

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Table 1 Pilot Demographic Data Age Gender Race/Ethnicity Total Commute Time/ Duty Period Employment Status Years of Experience Working for? Type of Organization (Flight School, Major Airline, Cargo Airline, etc.) Level of Education Note. This table illustrates the demographic questions that will be asked before the individuals complete the open-ended questionnaires. Table 2 Challenges Faced Questionnaire - What motivated you to pursue a career as a commercial pilot? - Can you describe any challenges or barriers you have faced while pursuing your career as a commercial pilot? - In your opinion, what factors contribute to the underrepresentation of minorities and women in commercial pilot roles within the aviation industry? - Have you experienced or witnessed any incidents of discrimination or bias within the aviation industry? If so, please share your experiences and how they affected your career. - What resources, support systems, or mentorship opportunities have been available to you throughout your journey in the aviation industry? How have they helped you overcome challenges or barriers? - What changes or initiatives do you believe could help increase diversity and inclusivity within the commercial pilot profession and the broader aviation industry? - Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to aspiring minority and female pilots who are considering a career in the aviation industry? Note. This table illustrates the questions in the questionnaire that will be asked to participating pilots.

Results The experiences of female and minority pilots would be gathered through open-ended questionnaires, yielding insights into their career challenges and barriers within the aviation field. Key themes are anticipated to reveal the ongoing obstacles these individuals face, despite modest strides in recent times. It is expected that significant impediments still prevent these marginalized groups from achieving gainful commercial piloting roles. Due to a lack of representation and role models within the industry, women and minority pilots may encounter a common challenge. This could result in feelings of isolation and lack of support as there may be limited individuals with similar backgrounds or experiences. Furthermore, the survey predicts that gender or racial bias could be an obstacle for participants during training and career advancement, leading to a negative impact on confidence and sense of belonging within the industry. Instances of stereotypes and discrimination within the aviation industry are expected to be often reported by participants in their responses. These biases can be observed in both training environments and professional settings, leaving those affected with feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and a need to prove their worth. The survey is likely to reveal gender and race-based differences in treatment that hinders career advancement and contributes to a sense of imbalance in workloads. Obtaining necessary certifications and training are generally a significant obstacle that many aspiring pilots face. Participants, on top of this, may also identify financial challenges, which is one of the barriers to pursuing a career as a commercial pilot. The high costs that come with this profession are noteworthy and can be a real burden for some.

Conclusions The study aims to explore the challenges and barriers faced by minorities and women in pursuing careers as commercial pilots within the aviation industry. Based on the expected results from the open-ended questionnaires, several conclusions can be drawn regarding the experiences of these marginalized groups. Firstly, results may turn evident that the lack of representation and role models within the industry poses a significant challenge for women and minority pilots. This lack of representation contributes to feelings of isolation and limited support systems, making it difficult for them to navigate their careers and find mentorship opportunities. Secondly, the study could find that gender and racial bias continue to be significant barriers for female and minority pilots. Participants are anticipated to report instances of discrimination, stereotypes, and differential treatment during training and career advancement. These biases negatively impact their confidence, sense of belonging within the industry, and overall career trajectory. Additionally, financial challenges are a known barrier for many aspiring pilots, particularly for women and minorities who may face additional socioeconomic hurdles. The high costs associated with obtaining certifications and training can be prohibitive for those seeking a career in commercial aviation. The aviation industry can achieve greater diversity among commercial pilots by implementing interventions that break down barriers, increase representation, offer support systems, provide mentorship opportunities, and address financial obstacles. Various obstacles continue to hinder women and minority pilots from succeeding in commercial aviation, despite advancements. Taking direct action to overcome these hurdles is vital in creating an inclusive workforce. This study emphasizes the importance of confronting

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these difficulties in the field. By prioritizing diversity, the aviation industry can benefit from this research and develop practical solutions to promote inclusivity for those who are underrepresented within the industry. The objective is to assist stakeholders in increasing opportunities for diverse candidates to pursue commercial piloting careers. A diverse workforce is crucial for industry growth and individuals' success. The benefits of tapping into varying skillsets and perspectives are immense. It's a vital asset to have at your disposal when seeking innovation and overall improvement. Recommendations Several challenges and barriers are faced by minorities and women in the aviation industry when pursuing commercial pilot careers, according to the study's conclusions. Recommendations to address these issues include: Aviation organizations must seek out and elevate female and minority pilots to leadership roles, bolstering their presence and giving future pilots relatable role models who can offer guidance. Support systems and mentorship programs geared specifically towards them should also be put in place by airlines, flight schools, and aviation organizations. Such efforts can offer helpful direction, networking, resources, and emotional support to assist those navigating their career paths. In order to increase inclusivity in pilot training, financial obstacles must be addressed. This may involve providing scholarships, grants, or low-interest loans to alleviate the strain of costly training expenses. The aviation industry should also incorporate mandatory diversity training programs for all members of staff to promote inclusivity and awareness of biases. Evaluating the efficacy of diversity initiatives can be done by monitoring recruitment, retention, promotion rates, and employee satisfaction among female and minority pilots. The

implementation of these measures can lead to a more accessible and inclusive training environment. Exploring other regions and increasing the sample size would be an ideal way of broadening the scope of participants beyond the United States for future research. This strategy will offer a better understanding of the challenges encountered by female and minority pilots on a worldwide level. To enhance the knowledge base on the difficulties experienced by underrepresented groups in aviation, like members of the LGBTQ+ community, it is imperative to consider their perspectives. Therefore, expanding the exploration of their challenges will be crucial. This critical issue necessitates additional exploration to attain a complete comprehension.

References Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Employed persons by detailed occupation, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.htm Krejcie, R.V., & Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement , 30 (3), 607–610. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/001316447003000308 Ragbir, N. K., Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Baugh, B. S., Milner, M. N., Gupta, M. B., Valecha, D. O., Candelaria-Oquendo, K., Capps, J., & Neal, J. G. (2021). An examination of consumer bias against female and minority commercial pilots. Technology in Society, 64 , 101492. 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101492 Stevenson, L., Cuevas, H. M., & Kirkpatrick, K. S. (2020a). Racial diversity in aviation. https://commons.erau.edu/student-works/164 Stevenson, L., Cuevas, H., Kirkpatrick, K., Rivera, K. K., & Aguiar, M. (2020b). Gender diversity in the aviation workplace. https://commons.erau.edu/student-works/162 Women in Aviation International. (2021). Industry Stats. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.wai.org/industry-stats

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