Delaware State University Navy Flight Academy
Abstract
Project AbstractThis proposal outlines a scholarship program for high-caliber high school students to earn their private pilots lic,ense. The ultimate goal of the program is to lead more members of minority demographic groups to join the Naval Aviation Community b,y providing them an opportunity for hands-on aviation experience. This program is particularly aimed at diverse students (grades 11,and 12) from populations that are currently underrepresented within Naval Aviation.The Naval Aviation Enterprise represents one of t,he Navys most homogenous communities, second only to the Special Operations community. This organization, comprising of approximat,ely 12,574 aviators (Pilots and Naval Flight Officers), consists of 87% White males, and is only 2.3% African American, and 11% Fema,le. Naval Aviations underrepresentation of racial and gender diversity begins at accessions, is exacerbated through poor retention,, and degrades further through lower promotion rates. By providing a meansto get their Private Pilots License, the Summer Flight A,cademy will expose Naval Aviation to a wider, more diverse range of Generation Z, and inspire those youths to eventually join the Na,val Aviation Community. The Flight Academy achieves this through recruiting minority students, and exposing them to an academic, han,ds-on, and practical aviation curriculum based in STEM principles. The University will partner with the Commander, Naval Air Forces,(CNAF) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team to select from a pool of highly-qualified candidates, mirroring the screening and selec,tion process for NROTC pilot selection. Upon completion, the cadets would earn a private pilots license and five college credits. T,he funding life cycle request is for three years (FY22-FY24). This Summer Flight Academy program will build a positive reputation of, the Naval Aviation Community among minority demographics, and empower diverse, potential future-aviators with a base of aviation-sp,ecific STEM skillsto help them succeed in the field. This program has strong potential to increase representation among minority dem,ographic groups within Naval Aviation over a 5-year period, and beyond. Through positive and direct experiences with the Naval Aviat,ion Enterprise, youths from minority demographics, with real potential to join the community, will be exposed to Naval Aviation, and, inspired to pursue it. Upon completion of this program, young, diverse talent could ultimately consider Naval Aviation as a viable,career path.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212437
Entities
People
- Michael Hales
Organizations
- Delaware State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy