PIT Helps Next Generation Build Careers in Aviation

Student group tours open eyes to opportunities in engineering, construction, fire safety and more

By Ariel Gordon & Gina Mastrangelo

Published July 1, 2024

Read Time: 4 mins

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The first time Titus Sanders saw an African American pilot, he was looking in the mirror. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Sanders served as a chief warrant officer for U.S. Army Aviation. He then joined United Airlines as a Boeing 787 first officer, and he’s still flying.

Sanders also serves as the co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, established in 1976. His latest mission: introducing Black teens between 13 and 18 to careers in aviation.

On Wednesday, June 26, Sanders brought 20 teens to Pittsburgh International Airport for an inaugural tour of the airport’s fire training facility, operations center, field maintenance building and American Airlines hangar. Many of the students traveled from across the country for the week-long OBAP program.

“Most of these kids had no clue that these careers are located at the airport,” Sanders said, “And had no clue there was a fire station.”

The group was part of one of two tours on the PIT campus last week. On June 25, the National Women in Construction (NAWIC) summer camp group visited PIT’s new airport construction site and its unique microgrid.