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Skies, and Tuskegee Airmen Inc. are working to keep the Black sector of pilots connected and well advised.
“Your network is your net worth, and as a member of some of these organizations, I created a network while traveling the world which has made me very wealthy physically, financially and culturally,” said Charlton. However, oftentimes what aspiring Black pilots lack is funding. Each of these groups provide scholarships in addition to using outreach and mentorship programs to encourage exposure to the field of aviation. “Everyone no matter where you’re from has an opportunity for greatness in their lives, but the question is do you recognize it and have the resources to capitalize on it,” said Charlton. Luckily, he was introduced to the euphoria flying can give early on in life. Charlton was raised on Langley Aorce Base in Virginia Beach and would often travel internationally by plane. “I remember my first flight as a passenger to the Philippines with Continental Airlines and my first flight as a pilot at Del State where I took the plane up and knew I was in control,” said Charlton. “The planet looks a whole lot different from above.” It’s a sight he hopes others can get used to seeing which is why he spent the last year raising money to create the Black Aviation Endowment Fund. The revenue generated will be used to sponsor college students at the 9 HBCUs for the 2022-2023 academic school year.
they embark on their journey toward a career in aviation.
“At an HBCU it is as you would envision, half the people around you look like you; at a PWI you represent less than 2% of the population,” said Charlton. “Majoring in aviation at Del State was a privilege, you’ll never be in that environment again.” Statistics prove what he’s saying is true. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2020 report, less than 3% of commercial pilots are Black. In the Air Force, there are fewer than 50 Black pilots. Charlton flies for both. “We’re supporting ourselves and trying to spread information because most of us don’t know the options we have,” said Charlton. “For any aspiring Black pilot, it is important to verbalize it and build a village.t is impossible to do it alone.” His path toward the airway was far from straight. After graduating from Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware, it was his mission to operate an aircraft. His hope was to pursue a career in the military, but at the time they weren’t in need of pilots but engineers. “The military has prerequisites before training and is very competitive because they pay for your training, they only take the top 10% in each class,” said Charlton. Yet this did not deter him. He studied at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida on an ROTC scholarship and was later on recruited by Delaware State University to accomplish his goal of becoming a pilot. “If you want to be a pilot, you have to have a mentor,” said Charlton. “There are multiple pathways one can take to become a pilot, but many are unaware of the opportunities available to them.” Those as young as middle school students can learn to fly through the Federal Aviation Administration’s programs; high school and collegiate students are often referred to Aim High Flight Academy. While these groups are securing a future for the youth, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the
“Life is a sum of your experiences, and the greater your experiences the richer your life,” said Charlton.
He is hopeful these funds go toward broadening the horizons for those bold enough to take flight.
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