United’s academy attracts diverse generation of aviators

The diversity focus of United Airlines’ new pilot academy “is not just something nice to do,” but is a logical way to respond to the coming pilot shortage, said First Officer Carole Hopson, whose own career exemplifies the difficulties of following a dream with few role models. Women and people of color account for 80% of the academy’s inaugural class. “We believe the talent needs to be expanded and that happens when we give people access,” said Hopson, who kept a magazine article featuring a Black woman pilot as her inspiration.