RICHMOND, Ky. — Efforts are underway here in Kentucky to make sure there are enough pilots in the pipeline for the future of the industry. Nearly 800,000 pilots will be needed over the next 20 years according to Eastern Kentucky University.
For Brooklyn Richendifer, flying is in her blood.
“My mom is a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines and my stepdad is a captain for them,” Richendifer said.
The Washington state-native is in her second year at Eastern Kentucky University, but is a junior based on credit hours. She began flying in high school with a private pilot’s license.
“It was my 18th birthday, and they got me a Discovery Flight; my stepdad had two boys, and he was encouraging them to try and fly but neither one of them did, so I think I was the last effort to have another pilot in the family,” Richendifer said.
Richendifer fell in love and forwent engineering school for aviation. Now, she’s one of nearly 460 students enrolled at EKU’s four-year aviation program. She wants to be a commercial pilot like her stepdad.
“I think they’re really proud. I’d really like to get to a point where I could be able to work on the same flight with them,” Richendifer said.
According to the Pilot Institute, there are 756,928 FAA-certified pilots in the United States. Of those, 72,428 or 9.57% are women. Wilma “Willi” J. Walker, the founder of EKU’s aviation school, wanted to be a pilot but was turned away because of being a woman.
“I always wanted to fly from the time I was a little girl and looked up and saw airplanes flying over,” Walker said.
Walker got her chance to fly over 40 years ago at Eastern Kentucky University. The Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame inductee founded the university’s aviation school alongside then-vice president Joe Schwendeman Jr.
“I was in the administration building one day and Joe tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘oh do I have a job for you,’” Walker said.
Walker led the program while also leading the geography department. In 1991, EKU became Kentucky’s first bachelor’s degree in aviation. In 2000, Walker retired from both positions. But during her time and still today, many graduates work with major airlines in passenger and cargo transportation.
“It’s the most wonderful thing that I could have possibly done in my opinion,” Walker said.
Richendifer hopes to be the latest to soar to success.
“It’s exciting to see more women enter the program and go on to be flight instructors and pilots,” Richendifer said.
EKU Aviation has seen a 140% increase in total enrollment in the program over the last three years. Over 15% of the aviation students are females, a number that continues to increase according to EKU.
Walker continues to be involved in aviation. She is currently on the board at Central Kentucky Regional Airport where EKU’s flight classes occur