Two of the first graduates of the American Airlines Cadet Academy have joined the carrier's mainline flight deck as first officers. The announcement comes as part of American Airlines' plan to hire 4,000 pilots by the end of 2023.

Keith Taylor and Damion Washington began their aviator journeys at the legacy carrier's pilot training program. The two completed their flight training together, accumulated all the required cockpit hours, and flew for American's subsidiary Envoy Air before joining American's flight deck as mainline first officers. Incoming First Officer Damion Washington shared some words of encouragement for those who dream of flying:

"To those considering or those in the process of becoming a professional aviator, continue to pursue and push through any barriers that may be holding you back because today, I can tell you, it’s so worth it to reach your dream.”

The Dallas/Fort Worth-based airline aims to hire 2,000 pilots by the end of 2022. The carrier will double its previous record of around 1,000 recruits in a year if reached.

From Pastor to Pilot

Damion Washington took a long path to the flight deck at American Airlines. He recounts hearing stories as a child from his grandfather, the first Black private pilot in the State of Arkansas. Although Damion's grandfather wasn't able to fly commercially, those stories inspired Damion to fly. The first African-American commercial airline pilot in the United States, David Harris, did not take to the skies until 1964 when offered a position at American Airlines.

"At that time, I didn't know how to become a pilot," Damion said of not initially pursuing his childhood dream. "We weren't in those circles, so it just seemed out of reach for me." However, he followed his calling to the ministry and soon became a pastor. In that role of encouraging others to pursue their dreams using all their gifts and talents, he realized that there was a big dream he had yet to seek.

With zero flight hours but the support of his family, Damion applied to and entered the first-ever Cadet Academy class in August 2018. It was his family specifically that he mentioned in appreciation for their contributions to reaching this moment:

“Becoming a pilot and joining American is a dream come true. I’ve always seen American as the biggest, the best, and the airline with the greatest history."

"It’s been a challenging road with a lot of hard work and sacrifice from my family to get here."

First in the door for a lifelong dream.

For Keith Taylor, it was growing up watching airplanes take off and land at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. that sparked his love of aviation. Kieth was flying by the age of 13. He continued to gain flight hours throughout his time at Jacksonville University in Florida, where he pursued a double major in Aviation and Political Science and eventually a Master of Business Administration.

By 2018, Keith was working in the aviation industry and living in Los Angeles when a friend, who was also pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot, sent him information about the recently launched American Airlines Cadet Academy. He took it as a sign to pursue his dream and joined the Cadet Academy in the same 2018 class as Damion.

Keith graduated from the program in February 2020 and started flying for Envoy the next month before joining American Airlines. He cited the student financing options offered and the pilot mentoring aspect as crucial deciding factors in attending the academy and expressed his excitement to give back to the program:

“Receiving the job offer from American Airlines is truly something I will never forget, It still doesn’t seem real. I’m so excited to fly for American and I plan to continue mentoring and supporting future aviators.

It’s our job as cadets to leave the program better than we found it and I will continue to support the Cadet Academy for all it’s done for me.”

Industry shortages

As the entire airline industry faces labor shortages, the issue is especially prominent in pilot recruitment. One of the ways legacy carrier American Airlines seeks to fill that gap is through its cadet academy.

The program has welcomed over 600 students so far, 60 of which have graduated. Upon graduation, students are guaranteed the opportunity to interview for a First Officer position at Envoy Air, PSA, or Piedmont Airlines.

Find out how much it costs to become an airline pilot here.

The three regional carriers are owned by the American Airlines Group, allowing for graduates to flow up to American Airlines after reaching the appropriate experience level without a further interview.

Other airlines have similar programs; United Airlines, for instance, has expanded its Aviate Academy recently. OneWorld addition Alaska Airlines announced this year it would be opening a flight academy in conjunction with its regional subsidiary Horizon Air.