Rep. Johnson Introduces Bill to Boost Minorities in Aviation Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) today introduced the Minorities in Aviation Education Act, H.R. 6005, which would create a grant program aimed at improving the preparation and representation of minorities in aviation-related fields.

The new grant program, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will be named for Bessie Coleman, an American aviator and the first black woman to earn a pilot’s license.

“We know from academic studies that minorities are underrepresented in aviation fields,” said Johnson, a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I). “By increasing educational opportunities in fields such as piloting, aviation maintenance and unmanned aircraft systems, we will tap into the unrealized potential of minority students and encourage them to enter well-paying careers while bolstering the aviation workforce. Being home to the world’s busiest airport Hartsfield-Jackson – with its myriad of aviation career opportunities – makes this bill all that more important to my constituents. I consider this a jobs bill.”

Barrington Irving, the youngest person to pilot a plane around the world solo, a feat he accomplished in 2007, said Congressman Johnson’s bill would help minority youth find their way in the aviation industry.

“Launching my career from inner-city Miami to become the first black man and youngest person to fly solo around the world, I believe this legislation is an absolute necessity,” said Irving, who founded Experience Aviation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering minority youth to pursue careers in aviation. “A number of airports are in the backyards of many communities but their exposure and access is limited. This industry is in dire need of diverse talent to continue its pace of innovation.”

Last fall, Rep. Johnson hosted Irving at Martin Luther King Jr. High School, where they encouraged the DeKalb students to pursue STEM-related fields, including careers in aviation.

Minorities in Aviation Education Act takes a critical step forward towards diversifying the aviation industry by providing grant funds to states, local governments, institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations to increase the exposure and access to aviation-related education and jobs. The bill has 26 cosponsors and is supported by: The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Latino Pilots Association, Professional Asian Pilots Association, National Gay Pilots Association, National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, The National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees.

The legislation now goes to the T&I Committee for consideration.

Cultine: Congressman Johnson speaks with pilot Barrington Irving during their visit to Martin Luther King Jr. High School in DeKalb County, GA in October 2017.

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