Fly for the Culture is a nonprofit promoting diversity in the aviation industry

Courtland Savage founded Fly For The Culture, an organization that provides financial assistance to Black Americans seeking careers as pilots, aircraft mechanics and air traffic controllers.

Savage was only one of two Black pilots in his squadron when he was in the military. These days, he flies commercial flights but there isn’t much diversity in that sector either. 

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“I’d like to see the industry more diverse. When you see the flight deck you’ll see a woman or a minority flying. If you see it now you’re kind of shocked because it’s rare,” Savage told Fox46. 

Fly For The Culture takes students on introductory flights to show them what being a pilot is really like. 

“I feel like the issue here is exposure. It’s kinda like you gotta see it to believe it type mentality,” Savage told Spectrum News. “So I just want to expose kids with an introductory flight, just bring them to the airport. Some of these kids haven’t been to an airport, so just bring them to the airport, put them in the aircraft and just take them around for a 10 to 15-minute flight, and just give them that exposure.”

If students are interested Savage helps them find a flight school where they can take lessons. The founder received his private pilot’s license while he was in high school and washed pots and pans to pay off the loan his parent’s co-signed to afford the school. Later he served as a fighter pilot with the Navy. 

“I do it for my culture. I do it for my community and I do it for my country because we all need to come together,” Savage told Fox46.

If you would like to support Fly For The Culture’s efforts, you can donate to the cost of aircraft and fuel here.

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