Black Pilots of America

What Black Pilots of America does

Black Pilots of America (BPA) is a Delaware-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997, headquartered in Green Valley, United States, and evolved from the earlier Negro Airmen International (NAI) organization. It serves two main constituencies: aspiring youth pilots aged roughly 15-19 from underrepresented and underserved communities, and certified Black aviation professionals (pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, enthusiasts) seeking community, mentorship opportunities, and event participation. The organization's mission is to provide an atmosphere for everyone to learn to fly and to grow the next generation of aviation professionals.

BPA's core products are programmatic rather than technology-based. Flagship offerings include the Les Morris Summer Flight Academy, a 14-day residential program at Houston Southwest Airport (KAXH) delivering 10 hours of certified flight instruction and 40 hours of FAA-approved ground school; Operation Skyhook, the Memorial Day fly-in competition held at Grider Field Airport (Pine Bluff, Arkansas); the nationwide BPA Membership Program (five classes: Regular, Honorary, Associate, Student, Family); a 19+-state Chapter Network with a Chapter-at-Large option; the BPA Hall of Fame; and the BPA Member Services Portal. Underlying technical components are conventional: FAA-approved curriculum, flight simulation, aircraft training, and a member login portal — there is no proprietary software platform, AI/ML stack, or API documented.

BPA's revenue mechanics are typical of a small membership-driven nonprofit: annual chapter-set membership dues, donor-funded youth scholarships (named tiers at $60, $150, and $500), event registration fees (e.g., Operation Skyhook guest $235, student $85; Summer Flight Academy $500 deposit plus full payment), and philanthropic contributions channeled through a "Give to BPA" landing page. Tax-deductible giving is enabled by 501(c)(3) status under IRS Section 509(a)(2), Tax ID 86-0852905, since 2002. Go-to-market is event- and community-driven: prospective members join via local chapters after an application, and acquisition flows through Operation Skyhook, Summer Flight Academy, the Annual Board of Directors Meeting (January), and the Annual General Membership Meeting (August), with an EAA Chapter partnership providing Young Eagle Flights as a youth feeder.

Name

Black Pilots of America

Legal name

Black Pilots of America, Inc.

Website

https://bpapilots.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Black Pilots of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1997, that runs a nationwide chapter network delivering youth flight training, scholarships, and aviation mentorship — via the Les Morris Summer Flight Academy, Operation Skyhook fly-in, and five-class membership program — to underrepresented teen aviators and Black aviation professionals across 19+ U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Education Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDABALAC

Aviation & Aerospace

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Industry-Specific Professional Training (e.g., Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction)

SECONDARYTHABAFAJ

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services

Travel & Hospitality/Airlines & Air Travel/Private Aviation (Business Jets & Air Taxi)

Keywords

• Aviation education
• Youth flight training
• Pilot mentorship programs
• Nonprofit aviation
• Flight academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Green Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, BPA relies on donations from members, friends, and supporters. Donations fund youth flight training and scholarships, educational programs and aviation outreach, community events and national gatherings, and resources to grow the next generation of aviation professionals.
2. Membership Dues: BPA generates revenue through annual membership dues across five membership classes (Regular, Honorary, Associate, Student, and Family). Each chapter has its own dues structure and pricing, collected locally through chapters.
3. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from event registration fees including Operation Skyhook (Guest: $235, Students under 19: $85; Late registration: $310) and the Summer Flight Academy program fees ($500 deposit, full payment due June 1).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Black Pilots of America (BPA) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit aviation organization that delivers youth flight training, aviation education, and mentorship programs. Its core offerings include the Les Morris Summer Flight Academy (a 14-day residential pilot training program for students ages 16-19), the annual Operation Skyhook Memorial Day fly-in event, a tiered membership program, and a nationwide chapter network providing local aviation fellowship and outreach.

Product overview

Black Pilots of America is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering a portfolio of aviation programs centered around youth empowerment and flight training. The core offerings include the Les Morris Summer Flight Academy (a 14-day intensive pilot training program for teens), Operation Skyhook (annual fly-in competition), BPA Membership Program with five membership classes, a nationwide Chapter Network, the BPA Member Services Portal, the Hall of Fame recognition program, and Youth Flight Training/Scholarships. These programs work together to provide an atmosphere for everyone to learn to fly and explore aviation careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Les Morris Summer Flight Academy A 14-day immersive aviation training program for high school students aged 16-19, held annually at Houston Southwest Airport (KAXH). Includes 10 hours of certified flight instruction and 40 hours of FAA-approved ground school, with opportunities for high-achieving students to complete a solo flight. Requires a $500 deposit with application, full payment due June 1, and a $100 late fee for applications postmarked after May 15. Minimum B average required.
• Operation Skyhook Annual Memorial Day Fly-In
• BPA Membership Program Nationwide membership program with five classes (Regular, Honorary, Associate, Student, and Family) providing access to local chapters, national events including Operation Skyhook and the Annual General Membership Meeting, scholarship opportunities, flight training programs, and mentorship. Dues are set and collected locally by each chapter, with a Chapter at Large option for members not near an established chapter.
• Youth Flight Training and Scholarships Program Charitable giving program with tiered donation levels ($60 Gift a Membership, $150 Skyhook Competition Supporter, $500 Flight Academy Sponsor) that funds youth flight training, scholarships, educational programs, aviation outreach, community events, and resources to grow the next generation of aviation professionals. As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax-deductible.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students ages 16-19 complete Summer Flight Academy with 10 hours flight instruction and 40 hours ground school training
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• EAA Chapter (Experimental Aircraft Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAA Chapter partnership for Young Eagle Flights program at Operation Skyhook events. Young Eagle Flights give children attending Skyhook the unforgettable experience of flying in aircraft, introducing them to aviation at a young age.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): National nonprofit focused on increasing minority participation in aviation and aerospace careers through scholarships, mentorship, and youth programs. Operates in the same demographic, mission, and programmatic space as BPA, making it the most direct mission-aligned peer.
• The Ninety-Nines: International organization of women pilots with chapter-based membership, scholarships, and youth aviation outreach. Provides a comparable community-association model for an underrepresented aviation demographic, paralleling BPA's chapter structure.
• Women in Aviation International: Nonprofit dedicated to encouraging women in all aviation career fields, with scholarship programs, youth outreach, and an annual conference. Mirrors BPA's model of using scholarships, events, and community to drive underrepresented-group entry into aviation.
• Latino Pilots Association: National association dedicated to promoting aviation careers among Latino youth and professionals through scholarships, mentorship, and community events. Closely mirrors BPA's demographic-targeted mission and chapter/community structure.
• Tuskegee Airmen Inc. A national nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and inspiring African Americans in aviation. Shares BPA's cultural mission and demographic focus, with overlapping youth scholarship and mentorship activities.

Others

• Commemorative Air Force: Aviation heritage organization operating a fleet of restored WWII aircraft, providing youth rides and aviation education experiences. Comparable to BPA through event-driven youth aviation exposure and cultural-heritage positioning.

Emerging players

• AeroStar Aviation: Aviation education provider running youth-focused flight training programs, summer camps, and high school aviation pathways. Comparable to BPA's Summer Flight Academy as a youth-targeted flight training alternative, though operating as a for-profit.

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Largest US general aviation advocacy organization, offering high school aviation STEM curricula, flight training resources, and scholarships. Overlaps with BPA in advocacy for general aviation access and youth engagement but operates at much broader scale.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): EAA is the largest US general aviation membership organization, running Young Eagles, youth aviation education, and scholarship programs. BPA partners directly with EAA chapters at Operation Skyhook, and both organizations target youth introduction to flight, making EAA the closest broad incumbent peer.
• Civil Air Patrol: US Air Force Auxiliary running the largest youth aviation cadet program in the country with aerospace education, flight training, and orientation flights. Operates at vastly greater scale in the same youth aviation education category as BPA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BPANational

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Pilots of America