{"id":101191,"date":"2025-06-25T20:00:20","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T14:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=101191"},"modified":"2025-06-25T20:00:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T14:30:24","slug":"woman-became-united-airlines-737-pilot-at-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/25\/woman-became-united-airlines-737-pilot-at-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman Journalist Who Became United Airlines 737 Pilot at 50"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW JERSEY-<\/strong> After a 20-year career in journalism and brand management, Carole Hopson became a United Airlines (UA)<\/a> pilot at 50. Today, she flies Boeing 737s out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), representing one of fewer than 150 Black female pilots in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopson’s late entry into aviation makes her journey one of the most inspiring in modern commercial aviation. From charting planes in her grandmother’s garden to earning her captain\u2019s stripes at 60, her story is one of resilience, purpose, and representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman
Photo: United Aviate Academy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inspiring: United 737 Pilot at 50<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carole Hopson\u2019s path to aviation was unconventional. A former police reporter and brand executive for L’Or\u00e9al, the NFL, and Foot Locker, Hopson nurtured a hidden dream of flying. That dream reignited during a date night at 30, when she first admitted out loud she wanted to become a pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her husband surprised her with flight lessons, and by age 36, she began training full-time, graduating in 2001.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But after 9\/11 and the birth of her two sons, Hopson paused her commercial aspirations and worked as a flexible flight instructor. It wasn\u2019t until her children entered middle school that she revived her ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 50, she joined United Express and went on to fly as a first officer with United Airlines (UA), earning captain rank in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopson now flies international routes including Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman
Photo: United Airlines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inspired by Aviation\u2019s Forgotten Pioneer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hopson\u2019s inspiration stemmed from Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn a pilot\u2019s license in 1921.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduced to Coleman\u2019s story at a Women in Aviation conference, Hopson was moved by the lack of visibility around Coleman\u2019s legacy. This led her to author A Pair of Wings<\/em>, a historical novel chronicling Coleman\u2019s journey from Texas to France and into the skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research process for the book was immersive: Hopson took biplane lessons, visited cotton farms, and retraced Coleman\u2019s journey. She sees the novel as a tribute to an unsung hero and a source of empowerment for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being in uniform, passengers often mistake Hopson for cabin crew \u2014 a reflection of deep-seated stereotypes in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopson, however, remains undeterred. \u201cI\u2019m so internally driven,\u201d she says. \u201cMy job is to keep people safe, and I\u2019m not distracted from that mission one iota.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She praises United Airlines as a supportive environment for career growth, diversity, and mentorship. Her success represents more than personal achievement \u2014 it marks critical progress in representation for women and minorities in commercial aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Charles | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mentoring the Next Generation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the cockpit, Hopson is committed to expanding access to aviation careers through the Jet Black Foundation<\/strong>, a nonprofit she founded to increase the number of Black female pilots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The foundation’s goal: to send 100 Black women to flight school by 2035<\/strong>, the Independent UK<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopson encourages aspiring aviators to begin with a discovery flight and join communities like the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)<\/strong> and Women in Aviation International (WAI)<\/strong>. These groups offer mentorship, scholarships, and clear pathways into aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do it from scratch,\u201d she advises. \u201cThe breadcrumbs are already there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
United Captain Waited 30 Years to See His Son Pilot with Him<\/a><\/blockquote>