They’re breaking down barriers in aviation—and opening the skies to a new generation.

Boeing has unveiled a major new scholarship initiative designed to expand pilot training opportunities for students from underrepresented communities, according to reporting from Black Enterprise (Black Enterprise). The aerospace leader is investing $950,000 into the program, directing the funds toward nonprofit organizations that have already been working to diversify the aviation pipeline and support aspiring aviators.

Nearly $450,000 of the investment will go directly to Fly Compton, a Los Angeles–based nonprofit that introduces minority youth to careers in aviation, engineering, and aeronautical technology. Boeing said in a statement that the contribution will “increase flight training classes offered to students in L.A.’s Compton community and introduce career topics related to designing, building and maintaining airplanes and drones” (Company Statement). Fly Compton’s hands-on programs have earned widespread recognition for reducing entry barriers for students who may not otherwise have access to costly flight hours or STEM resources.

The remaining $500,000 will be allocated across several national organizations focused on equity in aviation, including the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the Skies, Women in Aviation International, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Latino Pilots Association. Through these partnerships, Boeing plans to award 25 individual scholarships, each helping aspiring pilots cover expenses such as flight hours, testing fees, and ground school. Outlets like The Washington Post have previously highlighted how soaring training costs—often exceeding $80,000—are a primary barrier for low-income and minority students seeking aviation careers (Washington Post).

Demetrius Harris, president and executive director of Fly Compton, said Boeing’s support will directly address long-standing inequities in access. “At Fly Compton, we know that lack of exposure, access to resources, and the high cost of flight training prevents underrepresented populations from exploring careers in aviation. We focus on eliminating these barriers to entry, and this funding package from Boeing helps us continue this important work,” he shared.

The disparity is well-documented. According to FAA data cited by CNN Business, Black pilots make up less than 3% of all airline transport pilots nationwide—a number that has barely shifted in decades (CNN). Samantha Whitfield, executive director for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, noted that financial limitations remain one of the toughest obstacles. “Funding flight training is often one of the greatest barriers for students of color pursuing a pilot career. Scholarship partners like Boeing provide the much-needed support to fuel the careers of aspiring aviators,” she said.

Boeing’s latest initiative builds on its ongoing commitment to fostering representation in aviation and the broader aerospace workforce. To date, the company has invested more than $8.5 million into training programs targeting underrepresented communities, according to Essence (Essence). And the effort comes at a critical moment: Boeing estimates that the global commercial aviation industry will require over 600,000 new pilots within the next two decades due to expanding fleets and a wave of retirements, a projection that has been echoed in industry analyses from Reuters and Forbes (Reuters, Forbes). Expanding access to flight training today, the company argues, is essential to ensuring the industry has a qualified, diverse workforce for the future.

With this new scholarship package, Boeing aims not only to strengthen the pipeline of aspiring pilots but also to help reshape an industry that has historically lacked diversity. By creating training pathways that are accessible, affordable, and community-centered, the company and its nonprofit partners hope to make aviation a realistic dream—not just for the few, but for anyone with the passion to fly.