[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN AVIATION

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, since 1987, the number of pilots in the 
United States has decreased by 30 percent. Demand for pilots is up and 
the supply of trained pilots is down. Throughout the aviation industry, 
there is a desperate need for trained aviation employees.
  One way we can help end the shortage is to create paths for minority 
training. African Americans are significantly underrepresented in the 
aviation industry. They represent only 9 percent of airline mechanics 
and service technicians, 2 percent of aircraft pilots and flight 
engineers, and 12 percent of air traffic controllers. Creating 
opportunities to diversify the aviation field will help the critical 
shortage of pilots and aviation employees.
  Soon, I will be introducing a bill to establish an African American 
advisory board within the FAA. The advisory board will engage African 
American students through aviation training, mentorship, education, and 
outreach programs.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in my effort to decrease our Nation's 
pilot shortage by tapping into an underutilized population and creating 
a more inclusive aviation industry

                          ____________________