Delta Ab Initio Program Targets Women and Minorities
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Delta Ab Initio Program Targets Women and Minorities
Unlike many other countries, the U.S. has had few successful attempts at ab initio airline training.
From the Atlanta Journal- Constitution:
AIRLINE PILOT TRAINING: FLYING HIGHER
Delta program for minorities, women starts at ground zero
Nancy Fonti - Staff
Thursday, July 5, 2001
Some people complain about living near an airport, but for Cecil Hannibal the planes thundering above his South Carolina home were inspiration.
On summer days, he'd sit on his front porch watching military jets bound for nearby Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. Later he'd drive there to see them land and take off, certain one day he would become a pilot.
"Every day I had a reminder that this was what I wanted to do," Hannibal said.
So he took flying lessons in 1992, passing ground school the next year. But between earning a college degree and getting a banking career off the ground, his aspirations of aviation were postponed.
Earlier this year, Hannibal, living in Jonesboro and working as a senior account executive with Southwestern Bell/SBC Telecom, heard about a new pilot training program aimed at recruiting minority and female pilots, sponsored in Battle Creek, Mich., by Delta Air Lines and Western Michigan University. Hannibal, a 28-year-old African-American, applied and was accepted as one of the eight students on full scholarships.
He quit his job and began the rigorous 14-month curriculum in June. When he graduates, he's guaranteed interviews at Delta's regional units, Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines.
The Delta-WMU program began this year with $1.65 million from the airline, which expects between 24 and 40 pilots out of it over the next four years. The class is getting off the ground as carriers face a severe pilot shortage.
The training is also unique. Called ab initio, which means "from the beginning," it was designed to turn people with little or no flight experience into commercial airline pilots. Students start out learning the basics of flight: aerodynamics, aircraft structure and meteorology, among many other concepts.
After an eight-week stint in the classroom and a round of exams, they move to flight training on a single-engine plane, dividing their time between the classroom and the aircraft. From there, they return to ground school for advanced navigation and learn to fly a multiengine plane. They finish in a 737-400 simulator.
"It's like putting Niagara Falls through a straw," said Heather Burke, who left her job working for Delta as flight simulator engineer to study piloting at WMU. Along with Hannibal, she is one of two Atlantans in the first class of eight students.
European airlines have used ab initio training for several years, said Richard Wright, dean of Western Michigan's College of Aviation. British Airways and other European airlines developed the system because they didn't have a pipeline to fill their cockpits.
"It is very close to the military training," Wright said. "It takes the foundation of the European training model and modifies it appropriately for FAA requirements."
WMU's ab initio program, approved by the FAA, is a relatively new route to commercial flying at U.S. airlines. "It's something of a new philosophy, and it's a philosophy brought about by economic forces as well as technological forces," said David Esser, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
When the eight students finish, they will have just over 200 flight hours each, far fewer than a traditional candidate for a pilot job at a regional airline. Instructors in the program say the extensive classroom time will offset the fewer flight hours and point out that airlines hiring the students will continue training them before they take on commercial flying.
Though many of the doors to careers in law, medicine and business swung open for minorities and women years ago, there are unique barriers to becoming a professional pilot that have kept those groups out of the field.
Traditionally, big commercial airlines plucked pilots from the military. Despite integration by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, the armed forces produced few minority pilots interested in commercial careers, and the big airlines were slow to hire those who were. Female applicants were almost as scarce: Women were allowed to fly in combat in 1993. And then there's the lack of role models for minorities and women at the big carriers, which made the field seem hostile to outsiders.
The other road to becoming a pilot, the civilian route, carries a hefty price tag, with some flying courses costing thousands a year. Commercial pilots then spend years working as a flight instructors to build the time and flight hours they need for airline jobs.
The Western Michigan program opens a new pilot pipeline at a time when the industry --- especially the regional carriers --- needs a new source for pilots as those hired after the Vietnam War close in on retirement. If successful, it will also diversify Delta's pilot cadre, said Belinda Stubblefield, Delta vice president of global diversity.
Just 5 percent of Delta's 10,000 pilots are female and only 1 percent are minorities, consistent with other airlines Delta's size.
"We don't want to limit our resource pool," Stubblefield said. "We need pilots, we need to expand the breadth of the pool, and it makes sense for the growth of this business."
Like Hannibal, Burke decided she wanted a pilot career early on. Airports fascinated her since she was a young girl, and she decided she wanted to become a pilot in high school but ended up at Michigan State University on a full scholarship.
She later transferred to Embry-Riddle, where she majored in aerospace engineering. Eventually Burke co-oped at Delta and landed a job as a flight simulator engineer, helping train pilots.
"I've had a lot of 'aha' moments," she said of the pilot training program.
When Burke, Hannibal and the others enter the pilot rank and file as first officers, not only will they be minorities, their training will be different from that of the captains to their left. That doesn't matter to Hannibal, whose aviation heroes were also outsiders.
"I really don't get caught up in this industry being dominated by white males," Hannibal said. "This is my dream, and my role models are the Tuskegee Airmen and Ronald McNair, the black astronaut."
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Guest
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Chill out guys. No body needs to get sued.
It is Delta's money and investment. If they get sued then airlines such as Emirates and Singerpore would be sued as well for they don't hire women pilots. It would be stupid for me to sue EK because they won't hire me. Instead, I respect their prefference and I still love Dubai.
And it is not racism either, it's just giving certain individuals fair chances of getting what they couldn't get before, because of how they look.
The 24 Delta's ab initio cadets are already at Western Michigan University. 2 of them are African American males, the rest are white females. I know so because i am a senior(self sponsored) at WMU.
These cadets will receive the best training because EK and BA sends their ab initio cadets at WMU as well.
Be happy for them, it could be your sister or daughter one day.
It is Delta's money and investment. If they get sued then airlines such as Emirates and Singerpore would be sued as well for they don't hire women pilots. It would be stupid for me to sue EK because they won't hire me. Instead, I respect their prefference and I still love Dubai.
And it is not racism either, it's just giving certain individuals fair chances of getting what they couldn't get before, because of how they look.
The 24 Delta's ab initio cadets are already at Western Michigan University. 2 of them are African American males, the rest are white females. I know so because i am a senior(self sponsored) at WMU.
These cadets will receive the best training because EK and BA sends their ab initio cadets at WMU as well.
Be happy for them, it could be your sister or daughter one day.
Guest
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In the USA, women are 53% of the population. Their being referenced as a 'minority' is getting to be disgusting.
Their being treated as a minority is even more disgusting.
If the FACT was that they are equal; preferential treatment wouldn't be a factor - in all of history.
The military is finding that they have to make special arrangements for women, because of the myth of equality.
I've had three female copilots. Each did a superior job of flying. I know they are capable. Let them compete on a level playing field.
Their being treated as a minority is even more disgusting.
If the FACT was that they are equal; preferential treatment wouldn't be a factor - in all of history.
The military is finding that they have to make special arrangements for women, because of the myth of equality.
I've had three female copilots. Each did a superior job of flying. I know they are capable. Let them compete on a level playing field.
Guest
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Hey--I know, lets go out and find some folks who have either no interest in flying professionally, or some who just dabble at it because their real desire does not include the necessary sacrifices that the vast majority of PROFESSIONAL pilots have had to make in order to advance in their careers. Yeah, that's it, we can get some minority's, a couple of chick's, the papers will eat it up! Safety won't matter, we will pair them with someone who has a clue. We can tell the papers that we are having a hard time finding pilots, so we need to go out and make our own. Great! And they will probably be so grateful they won't join that nasty old union either! 2 for 1!
Hope all those guys out there flying in all those jets, and t-props day in and day out, with THOUSANDS of hours doing this for a living won't make too big a squak and blow our buzz.
Hope all those guys out there flying in all those jets, and t-props day in and day out, with THOUSANDS of hours doing this for a living won't make too big a squak and blow our buzz.
Guest
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This programme's not 'new'!..How does it compare to United's Affirmative Action of 20 years ago??With the onset of Civil Right's all the Carriers"entertained" the minorities,and other Language groups..
But I seem to recall that United discontinued the programme as too expensive an outlay for the 'final' result..
Please correct my understanding of this!!
But I seem to recall that United discontinued the programme as too expensive an outlay for the 'final' result..
Please correct my understanding of this!!
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Partyreptile,
These cadets are not just people recruited to become pilots without any prior intrest on flying. It is just like British Airways ab initio program, except that Delta recruits candidets with at least a four year degree,(currently, besides loads of hours, they preffer a masters degree for direct entry pilots).
Unlike the EK or BA cadets who go direct to the boeings or the airbuses, Delta's cadets will go to the subsidiary regionals first.
Ok, so you work hard to get where you are, and so do I. But these cadets, will be stuck with a contract and low pay until their investment pay off, while me and you enjoy our no strings attached with better pay.
Pilots who got it made are military pilots(At least for USA). My best friend just got accepted in a C-5 unit. She is going to her C-5 class in August. She graduated from WMU and had about 300 hours total time when she got accepted. Although it my tax money that would pay for her training and salary, I am happy for her. After four years of serving the country, she will come out with thousands of hours of a heavy metal tube. Heavier than any 747. That is what I call "GOT IT MADE".
These cadets are not just people recruited to become pilots without any prior intrest on flying. It is just like British Airways ab initio program, except that Delta recruits candidets with at least a four year degree,(currently, besides loads of hours, they preffer a masters degree for direct entry pilots).
Unlike the EK or BA cadets who go direct to the boeings or the airbuses, Delta's cadets will go to the subsidiary regionals first.
Ok, so you work hard to get where you are, and so do I. But these cadets, will be stuck with a contract and low pay until their investment pay off, while me and you enjoy our no strings attached with better pay.
Pilots who got it made are military pilots(At least for USA). My best friend just got accepted in a C-5 unit. She is going to her C-5 class in August. She graduated from WMU and had about 300 hours total time when she got accepted. Although it my tax money that would pay for her training and salary, I am happy for her. After four years of serving the country, she will come out with thousands of hours of a heavy metal tube. Heavier than any 747. That is what I call "GOT IT MADE".
Guest
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hey mwashi--I got some news for ya sparky--after 4 years your chick c-5 driver will still have 5 years left to serve, and will not have "thousands of hours", and just for another little tidbit-the 747's run heavier than the c-5's, that is when the -5's run at all. clearly you need a couple of bucks to go buy a clue.
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Partyreptile,
May be I should correct myself by rewording my above statement. C-5 is bigger than 747. It is the second largest aircraft in the world, the Russian one is the first.
May be you need more facts of life as well "there are some bigger aircraft than 747".
More clues for you: C-5s can carry 2 CH-53E, the largest helicopter in the world.
Secondly, the last time I saw 747 next to a C-5 was 3 months ago, at WMU Battle Creek, Michigan when Airforce One brought President Bush, and a C-5 was carrying his Limmo and security personells. C-5 was quite larger.
I hope I don't have to explain to you what is an Airforce One as well!
May be I should correct myself by rewording my above statement. C-5 is bigger than 747. It is the second largest aircraft in the world, the Russian one is the first.
May be you need more facts of life as well "there are some bigger aircraft than 747".
More clues for you: C-5s can carry 2 CH-53E, the largest helicopter in the world.
Secondly, the last time I saw 747 next to a C-5 was 3 months ago, at WMU Battle Creek, Michigan when Airforce One brought President Bush, and a C-5 was carrying his Limmo and security personells. C-5 was quite larger.
I hope I don't have to explain to you what is an Airforce One as well!
SkyGod
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The B-747 is heavier, (833,000 = -200, 870,000 = -400)
and have more power than the C-5.
The -5 may look fatter on the ramp, but if it beats the 747 in anything (With the exception of maintenace cost) I am not aware of it.
The Russians have something bigger again, but hardly a commercial success.
(Like the Spruce Goose, it is still the worlds "biggest" in some category if I am not mistaken....Probably not..
)
and have more power than the C-5.
The -5 may look fatter on the ramp, but if it beats the 747 in anything (With the exception of maintenace cost) I am not aware of it.
The Russians have something bigger again, but hardly a commercial success.
(Like the Spruce Goose, it is still the worlds "biggest" in some category if I am not mistaken....Probably not..
)
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Slacker WROTE:I hate women pilots, they all have ego problems. What's next, deaf and blind pilot scholarships?
Ladies and Gentleman xxxx Airlines operates an equal opportunities policy, your captain today is xxxxxx and his guide dog os xxxxx
Nah cannot imagine it some how <g>
On a serious note, is anyone clued up with US law??, such a scheme in the UK would be illegal.
However, US law is governed by the Supreme Court. In the 60's certainly under the Warren Court they would have loved such a policy. Not sure if the Court is predominantly Democrat or Republican but that would surely have an effect on the legality of such a scheme.
If you good enough regardless of race, sex then you deserve to get on the scheme.
Sagey
Ladies and Gentleman xxxx Airlines operates an equal opportunities policy, your captain today is xxxxxx and his guide dog os xxxxx
Nah cannot imagine it some how <g>
On a serious note, is anyone clued up with US law??, such a scheme in the UK would be illegal.
However, US law is governed by the Supreme Court. In the 60's certainly under the Warren Court they would have loved such a policy. Not sure if the Court is predominantly Democrat or Republican but that would surely have an effect on the legality of such a scheme.
If you good enough regardless of race, sex then you deserve to get on the scheme.
Sagey
Grandpa Aerotart
Both the interviewed Cadets stated they had a life long love of aviationand yet ended up doing something else without,it seems, having made much of an effort to realise that dream. Now that most of the hurdleshave been removed they are fronting up with lots of enthusiasm 
Chuck.
Chuck.
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I hate sexist and racist people.
But, if it wasn't for the racist and sexist people, then there would not have been the need for such a scheme.
The fact is, certain people, due to gender or race, were denied oportunities for the longest time. Even the government knows that. I myself didn't know how bad things were until I met the WASP and the Tuskegee Airmen.
It is a new century and a new millenium. We should all embrace the changes for the sake of future generation. Hopefully, they will all view each other as human beings regardless of gender or race. Hopefully, the best qualified candidate will get the job regardless of gender or race.
But, if it wasn't for the racist and sexist people, then there would not have been the need for such a scheme.
The fact is, certain people, due to gender or race, were denied oportunities for the longest time. Even the government knows that. I myself didn't know how bad things were until I met the WASP and the Tuskegee Airmen.
It is a new century and a new millenium. We should all embrace the changes for the sake of future generation. Hopefully, they will all view each other as human beings regardless of gender or race. Hopefully, the best qualified candidate will get the job regardless of gender or race.
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Aphrodite
I’m a little confused by your last post. At the start of it you imply the ‘ need for such a scheme ‘ , yet at the end you state that you hope the ‘ best qualified candidate for the job regardless of gender or race ‘ is successful.
Well which is it? You can’t have both!
I’m a little confused by your last post. At the start of it you imply the ‘ need for such a scheme ‘ , yet at the end you state that you hope the ‘ best qualified candidate for the job regardless of gender or race ‘ is successful.
Well which is it? You can’t have both!
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Wow!! Do some people have problems. The fact is that there is now in the U.S. a vast shortage of well qualified pilots to fill slots in the airlines. Used to be that you got your licence and then took all the crap jobs going to get 2,000 hours, proving on the way that you wern't going to kill youdelf and others. Then a major might look at you. If they did there was an extreme learning load to fill in all the gaps that the FAA training system did not cover. There was a problem here for the airlines - many students could not produce the goods and the failure rate was high representing lost money for the airline.
With the shortage of well qualified pilots the 2,000 hour has been reducing, some airlines coming down to 600 hours. This required an even steeper learning curve for the candidates with higher failure rates. There had to be a better way!!
Delta are to be congratulated. They have been prepared to look at all training systems and have seen what other major airlines have been doing - tight screening of ab initio candidates, insistence on high qualifications and high standards to be maintained through out the course. The same course that BA et al do.
The result will be a professional pilot. This will not be - you are black, yellow, brindle, female, minority etc, here have a licence. There is too much at stake for all. The students must prove themselves in the same course as BA, WMU must be able to deliver the goods to the airline, Delta must be able to justify the system to themselves and to the FAA.
It is the start of a new training system for the US. For the pilots who ground out the hours in the crap jobs- don't be bitter with these students - try thinking about the system that required you to make the sacrifices.
For those of you who hate women pilots - how sad.
With the shortage of well qualified pilots the 2,000 hour has been reducing, some airlines coming down to 600 hours. This required an even steeper learning curve for the candidates with higher failure rates. There had to be a better way!!
Delta are to be congratulated. They have been prepared to look at all training systems and have seen what other major airlines have been doing - tight screening of ab initio candidates, insistence on high qualifications and high standards to be maintained through out the course. The same course that BA et al do.
The result will be a professional pilot. This will not be - you are black, yellow, brindle, female, minority etc, here have a licence. There is too much at stake for all. The students must prove themselves in the same course as BA, WMU must be able to deliver the goods to the airline, Delta must be able to justify the system to themselves and to the FAA.
It is the start of a new training system for the US. For the pilots who ground out the hours in the crap jobs- don't be bitter with these students - try thinking about the system that required you to make the sacrifices.
For those of you who hate women pilots - how sad.