In November 2023 we spoke with the British Women Pilots’ Association (BWPA) exploring what is being done to combat a lack of representation in the industry. Following this, we caught up with Aspiring Black Female Pilot and 2022 BWPA Easy PPL Ground School Scholar, Maya Komolafe, on her story and why representation in the industry is so important.
Maya’s Journey
“When travelling to South America at the age of eight, I vividly recall looking out of the plane window and being awestruck by the translucent blue Atlantic Ocean glistening beneath me. It was a view I could not get enough of. It fascinated me that a 485,000 pound aircraft is able to graciously soar through the sky. I was amazed at the complexity of the cockpit and how the pilot dexterously handled the aircraft with such efficiency and adroitness at speeds of over 500 mph, thousands of feet above the ground. From that very moment my desire to become a commercial airline pilot arose. I became deeply passionate about flying – an unrelenting desire that has only grown stronger over time.”
“In September 2022, I was awarded the British Women Pilots’ Association (BWPA) Easy PPL Ground School Scholarship which provided me valuable insight into the theoretical side of flying. As a member of the BWPA, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Attagirls photoshoot at London Biggin Hill Airport which aimed to encourage more young women to consider a career in aviation. Similarly, being a part of the BWPA allowed me to travel to Cluj, Romania to attend the Federation of European Women Pilots’ (FEWP) annual conference in June 2023 which was an unforgettable trip. It was an honor to be surrounded by inspiring women established in the aviation industry.”
“In the aviation industry, it is not hard to notice the lack of diversity amongst UK pilots, and as a young black female aspiring pilot I began to notice that there weren’t many pilots in the UK that looked like me. Knowing this made me even more relentless, motivated and determined to achieve my dream of becoming a pilot to change this narrative, and in turn I hope that my legacy will inspire the next generation of young black female aspiring pilots in the UK. Despite entering an industry where I will be severely underrepresented, I am determined to show that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. I want to use my story to inspire others and show that anything is possible.”
The current lack of diversity in the aviation industry and combating this issue
“The scarcity of black female pilots in the UK is conspicuous. Statistics show that fewer than 5% of commercial airline pilots in the UK are women and only 7% of UK pilots are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds according to Fantasy Wings. These shocking statistics elucidate the immense amount of work that needs to be done to bring about equality within the cockpit. Fortunately, the industry has noticed this imbalance and has put some measures in place to combat this issue.”
“The Fantasy Wings Programme has a mission to disrupt and diversify the aviation industry. Their goal is to give Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and Women a platform to enter and excel in the Aviation industry and as an alumni of the programme I can confidently say that Fantasy Wings provides extensive support and guidance to help the participants reach their goals. I am confident that the programme is making a positive difference to increase diversity in the aviation industry.”
“Many may be put off from pursuing a career as a commercial airline pilot due the cost element of the training. This could impede diversity as only a certain demographic of people are able to afford the cost of flight school. In order to make becoming a commercial airline pilot a more accessible career path, several airlines have implemented initiatives to help aspiring commercial airline pilots transition from little or no flight experience, to becoming first officers without the financial strain. The British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy and TUI Airlines’ MPL Cadet Programme are two excellent examples of these fully-funded training schemes. Through these initiatives, aspiring aviators can bridge the gap between their aspirations and their ultimate career goal in aviation.”
“With the success of these training programmes we will begin to see a much more diverse range of pilots. This will in turn inspire the next generation of aspiring commercial airline pilots as they will be able to see pilots who look like them, and come from similar backgrounds to them, this could help to motivate these aspirants to be dedicated and tenacious in order to achieve their dreams.”
Plans for the Future
“Currently, I am in my final year of sixth form studying Maths, Physics and Economics. Although I have just received 5 offers to study Aeronautical Engineering at University, upon completing my A Levels it is my hope to go to pilot school through a fully funded airline training programme. In the future, I would like to become an airline captain, fly the Airbus A380, fly to all 54 countries in Africa as well as continue to be an advocate for the underrepresentation black female pilots in the UK.”
“As I continue on this exciting journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot, I would like to remind any young person who has a similar dream to mine that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.”
“I learned early on that success does not come easy, especially as a black woman in aviation. But through hard work and determination, I shattered barriers and achieved my dreams.”
-Stephanie Johnson, the first black female captain for Delta Airlines
Thank you Maya for sharing your story with us.
