This month, we’re proud to spotlight a community that embodies inspiration, representation, and unwavering support: the Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA). From its grassroots beginnings, LPA continues to uplift Latino voices in aviation through mentorship, education, and community.
But for many of its members, the journey into aviation didn’t begin in a classroom or airport hangar, but in the virtual skies.
We interviewed the President of LPA along with some of its members to learn more about their mission, mentorship, and the role flight simulation plays in their journeys.
From Virtual Cockpit to Real-World Runways
LPA believes in lowering the barriers to aviation, and flight simulation plays a key role.
President Claudia Zapata-Cardone recalls, “I know one individual who worked at a local university in Honduras at age 9, earning the equivalent of $5 U.S. per week, in order to save up to purchase a computer capable of supporting Microsoft Flight Simulator.”
Flight simulation has always been a way in for many young aviators. It allows aspiring pilots to dream, to experiment, to build muscle memory, even if they can’t yet afford flight school. And it’s not just for beginners: simulation is also used by LPA members to prep for checkrides and airline interviews.
LPA recognizes flight simulation as a valuable tool for pilots at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re just becoming curious or deep in professional training, simulation bridges the gap.
Comms Teams Member Alejandra Araujo gives valuable advice to those who sim and may be taking the next step in their journey:
“Treat flight sim as your sandbox for learning, but also know that the real thing brings in elements you can’t replicate, the physical sensations, the weather, the decision-making under pressure. Start by visiting a local airport, booking an intro flight, and connecting with aviation organizations like LPA. Once you feel that spark in real life, you’ll know if it’s worth committing to.”
Flight simulation may light the spark for many, but it’s the people behind LPA who have built the infrastructure to keep that passion alive.
A Movement Born from Friendship
In 2015, five college friends at Jacksonville University sat with a shared realization: there wasn’t an organization in the aviation industry that reflected their identities, cultures, or aspirations. With just $500 and a new checking account, the Latino Professionals in Aerospace was born.
Their goal was clear: inspire, mentor, and develop Latinos interested in aviation. Today, under the guidance of Claudia, LPA has grown into a powerful force with over 3,800 members across the U.S. and Latin America, chapters in more than 30 cities, and a growing presence on college campuses.
That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a testament to the deep need for visibility and connection that many aspiring Latino aviators have felt for decades.
Finding Comunidad
For many, joining LPA means more than gaining professional contacts, it means finding family.
“LPA has given me a sense of community and belonging in an industry where it’s easy to feel isolated, especially as a Latina and a woman. It’s been a space where I can connect with others who share my cultural background and passion for aviation, and where I feel supported not just as a pilot, but as a whole person,” shares Alejandra.
That sentiment echoes across the membership. Luis Boyer Gomero says,
“It’s meant a lot. I have made great friends and memories through LPA. It’s opened up opportunities and connected me with people who have helped me grow. LPA has impacted my career in more than one way. It has helped me financially with my loan. It has also help me build connections with people already involved in the airlines which whom are the nicest people and also very helpful and motivational.”
President Claudia points out that mentorship is core to LPA’s identity, but it’s not just about professional advancement.
“We emphasize that the relationship cannot be transactional. Mentors and mentees must be able to forge a relationship rooted in shared values and vision.”
This focus on relational mentorship, rooted in heritage and care, makes LPA unique.
“As the program chair, I try to cultivate a space where members feel safe being themselves and exploring the careers they want,” adds Brandon Centeno, who leads the mentorship program.
Latino pilots still face disproportionate challenges entering and thriving in aviation: financial barriers, a lack of visible role models, and being the first in their families to pursue the field. LPA takes a holistic approach to changing that.
“Most individuals that enter these career fields are the first in their families and have a difficult time finding that sense of community that comes from our Latino heritage,” Claudia shares.
LPA offers scholarships, guidance, and mentorship, but one of the most powerful tools they promote is sponsorship, where mentors actively recommend and advocate for their mentees during hiring processes.
“The sponsor is essentially vouching not only to the work ethic of the person, but to their character and how they will be contributing to the success of the company.”
To date, LPA has secured over $500,000 in scholarships for its members and was selected in 2021 to award United Aviate Academy scholarships – a major vote of confidence in their leadership and talent pipeline.
A Culture of Collaboration
We asked members: does Latino culture influence how you fly? The answers were resoundingly yes.
“Coming from the Latino culture where family, community, and resilience are instilled in us, we lead with empathy, adapt quickly under pressure, and persevere through setbacks,” Claudia explains.
And that emotional intelligence, especially in high-stakes environments, is invaluable in the cockpit.
Fun Question Bonus Round!
Q: What is one Spanish (or Portuguese!) word that captures the feeling of flying for you?
- Libertad – freedom. “Flying feels like breaking away from every limitation and seeing the world from a new perspective.” (Alejandra Araujo)
- Felicidad – happiness. (Luis Boyer Gomero)
- Trabajar – to work. “Even though it was my life dream, at the end of the day it still becomes a job!” (Brandon Centeno)
Q: If you were to give a call sign inspired by your heritage, what would it be and why?
- Cafetera – “Cafetera, a nod to Colombia’s coffee culture and the warmth and energy I bring to every flight.” (Alejandra Araujo)
- INCA – “Because my family are half descendant’s from Inca and Spanish.” (Luis Boyer Gomero)
- Tiburon – A shark. I always loved sharks and I was obsessed with beaches and pools as a kid. (Brandon Centeno)
Q: One piece of advice for future aviators?
Their advice to future aviators? Keep pushing forward and never forget what first made you look up at the sky.
“A lesson that many of us learn is that the airplane doesn’t care about our gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, etc. Physics does not discriminate. Lift is still a combination of Bernoulli’s principle and Newton’s Laws of Motion. It isn’t the aircraft we have to navigate around. It’s the biases of our fellow pilots we have to deal with,” says Claudia Zapata-Cardone.
In that spirit, the Latino Professionals in Aerospace continues to pave the way for the next generation of aviators. We hope Microsoft Flight Simulator continues to be a spark for future pilots who go on to join organizations like LPA and help shape the future of aviation.