This month’s spotlight features Hermon Hewitt, First Officer Pilot at UPS. Take a look into Hermon’s inspiring journey to becoming a black, female, immigrant pilot in the male dominated aviation industry.
Could you briefly explain some of your responsibilities in your current career role?
As a first officer for UPS, my primary responsibility is to operate and manage the aircraft while maintaining the highest security standards, safety, and efficiency. In addition, I oversee the aircraft systems pre-flight checks, monitor in-flight duties overseeing instruments, communicate with Air Traffic Control and ensure our flights are following UPS and the Federal Aviation Administration Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Captains are in charge, together, we navigate the aircraft across varies terrain and weather to ensure UPS on time deliveries. In case the captain becomes incapacitated, I am equipped to control the aircraft and perform safe landings. As a First Officer, I have the ability handle a spectrum of aviation responsibilities at any time.
How did you decide that this was the right career path for you?
As a child living in Asmara, I remember my dad leaving for America and being completely heartbroken. My mom and I would wave at every plane flying over the house, I imagined my dad was aboard each aircraft. Gazing at the airplanes, I became fascinated and my love for becoming a pilot evolved. My younger me felt I could bring my dad back. Even to this day, my friends and family remind how I used to try to outrun every airplane waving as if my dad was on the plane and he could see me.
One would think, my love for airplanes, I would have majored in aviation or enlisted into the Air Force. Unfortunately, these were not my paths, far from the truth. My original path began in the Army National Guard pursuing a Computer Science major. Only one semester remaining to complete my degree, I finally realized I am completely unsatisfied. I dreaded going to my classes. One day I faced reality knowing I couldn’t do Computer Science for the rest of my life.
I went to meet with the Aviation Department Chairman to inquire about Pilot curriculum requirements. Realizing the feasibility reignited my passion for becoming a pilot. I ran out of his office as if someone had handed me the winning lottery numbers. Even though I knew changing my major would delay my graduation date, immediately, I changed my major to obtain my bachelor’s in Aviation Management.
What are some of the challenges you’ve had to navigate as a female pilot, and what have you learned?
I realized early as an immigrant black female in aviation I would face several obstacles out of my control. First obstacle was funding flight school. Unfortunately, I was rejected for various programs and loans because they didn’t believe in my success.
I was also told by various flight instructors and aviation community members that I would never become a pilot. I was encouraged to consider other Aviation professions.
I learned quickly that I had to overcompensate meaning study twice as hard, mentally prepare myself to endure the pain when I saw my white male counterparts obtaining position before me.
Even after working my way up to become a Captain at Mesa Airlines, I recall co-workers and passengers that weren’t comfortable with me being in the cockpit. I knew it was my job not only to transport my passengers safely, but I also had to go above and beyond in efforts to change the worldโs perception of black female pilots! I felt like a walking billboard with no room for mistakes. I know my community and young black women needed me to succeed, again to help change the worldโs perception.
What skills have you found vital for your job, and how did you learn them?
Resilience, self-sufficiency, and problem-solving are traits I inherited from my mom. These are the foundational tools that I needed to conquer my challenges.
However, to master my profession, I relayed on the skills I obtained in the Armed Forces such as teamwork, leadership, adaptability, financial responsibility, ability to perform under pressure, and HARD WORK!
What are three things someone should consider if they are interested in a career as a pilot?
Obtaining your licenses could be costly. Most educational grants and student loans donโt apply toward flight training, check rides, and building your hours. If you are determined to pursue a career in aviation, cost should not matter since there are plenty of resources to help alleviate financial burdens.
Second, low pay and an unfavorable schedule should be expected early in your career, mainly because of seniority and lack of experience. Expect to be flexible with your schedule and anticipate missing notable holidays and family events while being financially responsible.
Lastly, maintaining a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle is a must. When you travel for a living, it’s imperative that you be aware of your mental and physical wellness. We are required to pass our medical exams every six months or annually for the Airline Transport Pilot.
What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of your career?
One of the most rewarding parts of my career is watching families reunite with their loved ones for the first time in years or transporting lifesaving organs to patients waiting to receive them.
I would also add how rewarding it is to prove the nay-sayers wrong. You can have a career as a pilot and a family and still be happy. People’s negativity drove me to excel! I am a living testament to every little girl that “she can have it all”!
However, the challenging aspect of an aviation career is commuting to work. When you do not live in your assigned base, you must position yourself to get to your base to begin your trips. For example, if my assigned base is Dallas, TX and I live in Minneapolis, I must commute from Minneapolis to Dallas to begin my work week. Fortunately for me, since joining UPS, I live and work out of Louisville, KY which is my base, so it cuts out the commuting aspect.
What is your favorite memory of flying?
I was a flight instructor in Vero Beach, Florida teaching international students when my sister and best friend came to visit me for my birthday, my boss at allowed me to take Piper Warrior, a small aircraft, out to give them a private tour.
I didn’t realize how unique that experience was until we all landed and celebrated like we were kids again. It is moments like these that remind me how blessed I am.
To date, what is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Landing my dream Airline job at UPS, flying the Boeing 757/767 fleets.
Big sigh, because it was a long and challenging process from my first flight in 2007 to 2020 when I accepted the job offer. The journey was worth it; I love my UPS family, and they have allowed me to prioritize my personal life while continuing to do what I love. Fun fact, they were founded by an immigrant in 1907! ย
What advice would you give someone looking to transition into your line of work?ย
Get a Mentor! You would be surprised to learn how many people are looking to get you into this field.
Be careful to whom you give your ear; not everyone will be supportive. Sometimes people will project their own fears and insecurities.
You can do it!
What do you do for fun outside your hard work and efforts toward building your career? Hobbies?
I absolutely enjoy spending time reading, playing, and doing fun activities with my 16-month-old. When she is sleeping or distracted on facetime with my family, I enjoy working out and yoga!
This is such a great and inspirational article, Iโm proud of you my Eritrean sister. I wish you all the best in your future Construction! God bless!๐๐
I feel so proud to see a successful young lady like you challenge to create a realty in the world of aviation . Keep on .
I am very poud of you, you are great and an example . An Eritrean intelligent Lady.
Congratulations on your success we are proud of you Eritrean woman.
Well done gual hager, you are an inspiration for all women around the world, as you are Eritrean, Eritrean women are mothers, fighters, and liberators and you are inspirations to the world over, Eritrean women’s history is hidden, it must be told the world over!!!!I I say kudos to you and thank you for liberating us, Eritrean men.
You are just hero as your Eritrean mother’s. Well done girl.
I am proud that An Eritrean girl has achieved a lot. I also feel sorry that not many people read this.
congratulations to you Harmon lโm very proud of you keep up the great achievements.๐๐
Congratulations for your success we are proud of you as always as Eritrean แแชแณ แฐแตแแ แฅแซแแป แฐแแแ! แแแฎ แจแ แฃแดแณแณแข
Hermon! This is such a wonderful and inspirational article; I learned so much!
Congratulations on accomplishing and living your dreams!
Great job I will be hermona very inspirational wish you the best in your future life and congratulations
Wooooow Heriiii I am so proud of You
Wow great Eritrean woman
แแแฅแฒ แแญแฐแ แแแดแณแตแช แแฆแ แแแ แแแช แ แฅแ แฅแแฅแปแแช แ แกแแตแ แฉแญแ แตแ แขแ แจแ แคแญแตแซแแซแแข
Very proud of you my fellow Eritrean and sister!! You are amazing!!
Congratulations on landing your dream job and thank you for being an inspiration to our little girls all around the world and in particular Eritreans.
I am so proud of sister,keep up the good job shinning you are very inspired us as all eritreans
I am proud of you my beautiful sister, Congratulation!
We are very proud of you my sister , keep up the good work .
Dear Hermon, we all are very proud of you! What a wonderful feeling to see strong Eritrean women like youโค๏ธ๐ช๐ท๐ช๐ฝ. Also I wanted to ask because from my reading I did not capture when you left Eritrea, do you have plans to go back and do community service as flight instructor? Thank you๐๐ฝ
Way to go Gabby!!
Ohh my God u R amazing ๐ ๐ โค
Very interesting woman and worrier. Proud of you ๐
I ADMIRATE YOU GOD BLESS YOU.
Hermon, all the family is proud of you. Keep up the good work. God bless you and your family
You are a such am
Amazing woman keep it up and donโt give up very proud of you Meron may god give you strength and health ๐๐ช๐ท๐
I meant to say Hermon
Hermon, we are so proud of you ! Keep the good work being a pioneer. God bless you abundantly!!
I’m so proud of you and so motivate by your success. It’s hard and very challenging to reach to your leap. I was in the Navy and the discrimination as immigrant is so high and discharged.
as a father and grandfather of Eritrean origin, I can proudly say you are a great example that all young peaople and in particular females to look up at you. keep it up and make us ever prouder.
We are proud of conguratulations very inspiring for the yung Eritreans .!!!!
Great achievement, Hermon. I’m very proud of you!
So proud of you Hermon gualey! Keep it up ๐ and enjoy your achievements and success. Yes, hard work and resilience is the way to success.
Good job ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐พ
Wow itโs proud to be Eritrean girls
Well done and good example for young female Eritrean
God bless you
Great, so proud of you dear niece. Keep flying higher and higher
You are role model . I sooo happy to see you you on the top!
Proud of my sister. You are amazingly great full women. As Eritrean American immigrant, I do know that how many speed bumps you have to pass to getting there.
please try to write a book for the young woman in general and the Eritrean diaspora in particular.
Stay blessed
Very inspirational, may God continue to bless you. Proud of you sis!
Congratulations heritti
When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go. Very inspirational. Congratulations to you and your family!!
As an Eritrean and as your uncle, I am so proud of you. Keep it up and excellent by using every opportunity ahead of you.
What a wonderful accomplishment ๐ โค๏ธ, congratulations and proud of you Eri ๐ช๐ท girl, it’s such a great history of a life journey โค๏ธ.
Go Girl, I’m proud of you Gual Eri, congratulations ๐ ๐ ๐
I am so proud of you I wish a bright future health and success .
We are proud of you. As always when ever you set your mind at something, you have completed it beyond expectation!
Sister Hermon, you are a selfless person who accomplished your wishes. A role model to so many who read your story. I get fascinated by successful people like Hermon. Great woman. I am very happy to read your story.
We are proud of you. As always when ever you set your mind at something, you have completed it beyond expectation
Great job Hermona. Very inspirational, wishing you the best in your future life and congratulations to you and your family.
Great achievement Hermon. Well done!
I am really happy for that. I am at same time like to note, I see usually Eritrean girls very motivated and carougeus.
Thanks God of the hard and optimistic people.good job
Mine stay blessed and safe
Reve,kibrom
God jobb my dear Hermon so proud of your Boeing an Eritrean woman
แญแบแ แญแแปแแก แญแแแซ
แฅแซแ๐ฅโฃ= this is in blinแก แแแ แฅแแ แข แแ แ แขแแ แแฝแแแช แแแแฒ แฃแแบ๐๐๐