Seeking Diversity In The Aviation Industry

Through a joint program established in 2002 between Tuskegee University and Kansas State University, Salina, Chrystal Cole-Bridges became Tuskegee's first woman pilot in about six decades, as well as one of a small number of black female aviators in the US.

Her achievement -- being the first female graduate of the joint program -- comes nearly five years after meeting a pair of Tuskegee Airmen on a campus visit, reported the Montgomery Advertiser. She was considering a career in aviation but, like all college-bound students, choosing in which college to enroll.

She recalled that the Airmen told her, "If this is something you really want to do, you can do it. Don't let anything stand in your way."

The renowned Tuskegee Airmen achieved several records during WWII. Not only did the group not lose a single bomber it was escorting in more than 200 combat missions (although that statement has been disputed) members also destroyed more than 260 enemy aircraft, and won over 850 medals. The airmen's volunteer actions to fight for democracy overseas came while they were being denied civil rights at home.

"It has definitely not been clear skies, but every single struggle was worth it," Cole-Bridges said. "It was something that was my passion, so I was willing to do whatever it took."

"These airmen have paved the road for me and a lot of African-American aviators today," she added. "It is up to my generation to pass this legacy on ... I am thankful I am in the position to do so."

According to Tuskegee University's website, Mildred Hemmons Carter became the first black woman to graduate from the cadet pilot training program at Tuskegee in 1941, and the first in Alabama to be awarded a pilot's license.

Although more blacks have gone on to pursue a career in aviation since then, there are few black female pilots -- just 140 out of 124,825, or about 0.1 percent of the pilot population in the US, according to 2002 census data. There were 1,925 black male pilots, or 1.5 percent.

Cole-Bridges, in a recent interview with The Associated Press, said a lack of education and economic barriers may prevent blacks from pursuing aviation careers. She said it's important to educate young people about the field.

"You just can't start when they're in high school or going to college -- you have to start when they're young," said Cole-Bridges, who also has an engineering degree and now works as a design engineer at Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS.

Although she is concentrating on engineering for now, Cole-Bridges hopes to earn enough flight hours to become a commercial pilot.

Cole-Bridges flew her first plane at 19 and graduated December 8, 2006, at KSU, where Tuskegee Airman Col. George Boyd presented her with a certificate recognizing her accomplishments.

While the majority of airline pilots historically come from the military, others are coming from university/collegiate programs and flight schools, according to KSU aviation department head Marlon Johnston.

According to the University Aviation Association, there are 114 aviation-related programs, with 88 that specifically offer flight training.

Under the joint Tuskegee and Kansas State program, students earn a bachelor's degree from Tuskegee in aerospace engineering as well as a degree as a professional pilot at KSU during the summer. Students complete coursework in Tuskegee during the regular academic year and then come to Kansas State up to three consecutive summers to attend classes and have their flight training.

"This is a daunting challenge and only the most dedicated students can accomplish this," Johnston said. "Chrystal was only the second student to fulfill this opportunity, which is a credit to her personal drive and professional attitude."

"Whether she was in the classroom, cockpit or community, Chrsytal represented herself, Tuskegee and K-State well," Johnston said.

FMI: www.tuskegeeairmen.org, www.tuskegee.edu, www.k-state.edu, www.uaa.aero