Edward Canedo has always had a love for airplanes and a dream to one day become a pilot.
“I was playing with airplane toys, Legos would become airplanes,” he joked to KTLA 5’s Annie Rose Ramos.
His journey to the skies did take some time. He started working at the airport as a baggage handler. A decade later his dream became a reality as he was hired on as a pilot for Southwest Airlines. However, it wasn’t until a knock on his door that he realized he could be dreaming bigger.
“Two high school kids were selling newspapers and I was in my uniform and they were like ‘Hey are you a pilot?’ They had no idea it was a possibility,” he explained.
Wanting the idea to take flight in others, Canedo and fellow pilot Adam founded Arc Academy, which is a program for pilots with high aspirations but without the means for flight school. It offers scholarships to people at different stages of learning to fly.
“It was just about opening it up and changing the face,” Adam said.
The opportunity comes at a time when the aviation industry is facing a pilot shortage. However, there remains a struggle in the imagination for some.
About 95% of professional pilots are white and 92% of professional pilots are male.
Arc Academy is creating new paths for those while reminding them of where they came from. Like Ricardo Lopez who went flying in his Guayabera shirt.
“I just want to make sure I bring a little bit of my roots up there,” he explained.
The school brings new hope for the pilots of tomorrow with a promise to help them reach their sky-high potential while reminding them their dreams are within reach.
“Pay it forward making sure there are more pilots like me of color are given the same opportunities,” Lopez said.
KTLA continues our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15. Be sure to join us for a special broadcast on Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. We’ll be highlighting inspiring stories of Latinos here in Southern California showcasing their contributions to music, food, art and more.
