Beverley Drake
Beverley Drake | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 20, 1956 Georgetown, Guyana |
| Occupation(s) | Aviator, aviation accident investigator, administrator |
| Known for | One of the first female pilots in the Guyana Defence Force; first female commercial pilot for Guyana Airways; senior accident investigator at the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) |
Beverley Drake (born 20 June 1956) is a distinguished Guyanese aviator and specialist in aviation, currently serving as an accident investigator and administrator with the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). She holds the distinction of being one of the first two female pilots in the Guyana Defence Force, the inaugural female commercial pilot for Guyana Airways, and the sole black woman to reach senior aviation accident investigator status at the NTSB. Drake leads the NTSB's Federal Women's Program and heads its Industry and Government Affairs division.
Early life
Drake was born in Georgetown, Guyana as the younger of two sisters. Her fascination with flying began early, inspired by her father’s influence. After completing her studies at St. Rose's High School, Guyana in 1974, she pursued chemistry and biology at the University of Guyana. Subsequently, she earned a scholarship to study aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her flight training took place at Waller Air Force Base in Trinidad, culminating in her obtaining a commercial pilot’s license from Guyana in 1977.
Career
Her career started as one of the pioneering female pilots within the Guyana Defence Force, where she operated Britten-Norman Islander aircraft for jungle reconnaissance missions. Within half a year, she transitioned to become the first female pilot at Guyana Airways, flying planes such as the Hawker Siddeley 748 and de Havilland Canada Twin Otter on routes including Barbados, Dominica, and Trinidad. During this time, she married army major Randolph Johnson.
In 1980, Drake moved to the United States with her family but encountered obstacles continuing her aviation profession due to citizenship and credentialing requirements. Beginning in 1984, she held a temporary position at Goldman Sachs, later securing a permanent role as an analyst. She remained engaged with aviation through memberships in groups like Negro Airmen International and Black Pilots of New York.
After economic recessions in 1987 and 1989 impacted her career path, Drake sought to return to aviation by joining the NTSB as a junior investigator in 1991. Confronting gender-related challenges, she advanced by completing specialized accident investigation training and earning both a bachelor’s degree (2002) and a master’s degree (2005) in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle. She became the first black woman to serve as a senior accident investigator at the NTSB and was still the only woman holding that position as of 2013.
Drake oversees the NTSB’s Federal Women's Program and provides international consultancy aimed at improving aviation safety protocols. Having investigated more than 300 aircraft accidents, she applies her expertise to mitigate mechanical failures and environmental hazards. In 2013, she was promoted to Program Manager of the NTSB's Industry and Government Affairs division, responsible for organizing air safety forums and symposiums. Additionally, she has presented safety workshops nationwide for organizations such as the Experimental Aircraft Association and The National Air and Space Museum.
Legacy
In recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to aviation, Drake was honored with her likeness on a Guyanese postage stamp in 2013. She remains a role model and mentor for young women aspiring to careers in aviation and STEM disciplines.