Photo credit: hechingerreport.org

Transforming the Skies: Broward College Opens Doors for Aspiring Pilots

Located approximately 15 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines is home to a burgeoning pilot training program at Broward College. Here, Cessna four-seater airplanes sit ready on a field next to the college, which offers both two- and four-year degrees. Prospective students are invited to embark on “discovery flights” to assess whether a career in aviation captures their interest.

The aviation industry is facing a substantial increase in demand for new pilots, as many pilots approach retirement age in the coming years. This transition is expected to create numerous job openings in a sector where the average salary exceeds $170,000 annually.

Despite the promising prospects, the aviation profession has historically been characterized by a stark lack of diversity. In 2023, around 90% of pilots were male and 80% identified as white. Those working in the field have noted various challenges to diversifying the profession, including insufficient visibility about how to enter the industry, the high costs associated with training programs, and perceptions that the airline sector is not welcoming to women and individuals from underrepresented communities.

In a significant move to address these disparities, Broward College has joined forces with JetBlue to launch one of several initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in aviation. As the first community college to team up with JetBlue’s Gateway University program in 2023, Broward College offers students mentorship opportunities and conditional job placements with JetBlue as first officer pilots, contingent upon obtaining their licenses and fulfilling other criteria. Notably, Broward’s diverse student body, which is approximately one-third white, one-third Hispanic, and one-third Black, benefits from lower tuition costs compared to JetBlue’s other partner institutions.

Instructors at Broward teach essential flight lessons, integrating meteorology and mathematics into the curriculum. Training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience using flight simulators and actual flights.

Flight instructor Shiloh Hazin assists student Zachary Clarke in navigating one of Broward’s flight simulators. The program includes five to 15 hours of simulator training each semester, enhancing students’ readiness for in-flight experiences. Following each session, instructors and students engage in a debrief to review key points and areas for improvement.

Before a flight, Cessna instructor Luigi Alonzi prepares by checking critical systems and communicating with air traffic control.

The Emil Buehler Aviation Institute at Broward College is situated adjacent to North Perry Airport, primarily catering to private aircraft.

Alonzi emphasizes the importance of remaining composed during challenging flying conditions. He underscores that mastery over the instrument controls is critical while also teaching students to develop an understanding of the flight map and listen for instructions from air traffic controllers.

Students at Broward College come from diverse global backgrounds. Alonzi, a Venezuelan native, finances his studies while accumulating flying hours by instructing others. After completing the necessary training hours, students often work as instructors, furthering both their education and financial support.

Second-year student Clarke, who hails from South Florida, is keenly interested in the JetBlue program and manages training expenses by living at home and working part-time as a photographer. He credits his family’s aviation background for his interest while expressing enthusiasm for the mentorship component of the program.

In a warm August, students from the aviation maintenance program at Broward College learn to repair and maintain aircraft in their hands-on training environment. Their programs vary in length, lasting between 13 and 19 months. The expedited option consists of intensive classes for over eight hours each day, while the traditional route offers a more flexible schedule. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a median income of $75,400 per year for aircraft mechanics and technicians in 2023.

Third-year aerospace science student James Rauschkolb, eager to become a pilot, initially believed military service was the only pathway to the profession. However, while working with the Transportation Security Administration, he learned from pilots that attending college for flight training was a viable route. He ultimately discovered Broward College after conducting his own research.

Rauschkolb shares that his mentor from JetBlue’s Gateway University program provides him invaluable guidance, especially as he navigates the challenges of entering an industry without prior family connections in aviation. His mother, a piano instructor from Indonesia, and his father, who works in oil, do not have the firsthand experience to offer him in this field.

This comprehensive overview of Broward’s pilot training initiatives sheds light on the ongoing efforts to enhance diversity and accessibility in the aviation sector.

Source
hechingerreport.org