Isaiah Hand is the beginning of a new wave of emerging pilots reviving Black aviation history as the first Black man to become a certified pilot from the historic Tuskegee University in 80 years.
The college student is enrolled at the HBCU, recognized as the home base of the pioneering Tuskegee Airmen. While studying Aviation Science, the 20-year-old recently earned his private pilot’s license at Moton Field. On these grounds, the first Black pilots of the U.S. military trained during World War II.
Isaiah Hand makes history with pilot’s license
Back in June, Hand shared with his Instagram followers that he was starting his journey to become an aviator by posting a photo of himself on Moton Field in front of a small plane with the following caption: “Making the ancestors proud. Tuskegee Airmen bound☁️🌅”
To celebrate Hand’s accolade, the university uploaded a photo of the scholar to its Instagram account on the day he achieved pilot status, announcing the “milestone.”
“👏Isaiah Hand, a 20-year-old Aviation Science major at Tuskegee University, made history last week by earning his private pilot’s license at Moton Field—the first Tuskegee student in nearly 80 years to achieve this credential under the relaunched four-year Aviation Science Degree Program, ” the caption read. “This milestone comes as Alabama Senator Katie Britt secured $6.7 million in funding to create the program and train a new generation of Tuskegee Airmen and Women, continuing a legacy that inspires students in aviation and STEM fields. Read more in the #TU online newsroom.”
Hand published the same photo on his Instagram profile with the caption, “License #1 down. History made 📖. Goal accomplished. It’s a good life 🙏🏾. On to the next 🙌🏾!”
Tuskegee expands its aviation legacy with training, jobs and industry growth
According to Made In Alabama, the educational institution reactivated its former flight training program at Moton Field in June in collaboration with Republic Airways’ Leadership In Flight Training Academy, whose mission is to be a resource in teaching the next generation of aviation leaders. The program combines classroom lessons, flight simulator practice and in-the-air training using Diamond DA40 and DA42 planes outfitted with modern glass cockpit technology.
Through the alliance, students can choose two options to become licensed pilots: pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Science from Tuskegee University or obtaining a commercial multi-engine pilot license through LIFT Academy. It was reported that 15 students registered for the first class in decades.
“Tuskegee University is proud of its heritage of training pilots who serve our country,” Dr. Mark A. Brown, the university’s president and CEO, said in an interview with Made In Alabama in June. “As North America faces a pilot shortage of about 130,000 in the next 20 years, our new degree program will prepare aviators to serve their country through the defense or commercial aviation industry, which is in need of rebuilding pilot programs to meet the demand.”
Additionally, the school is leveling up its aviation program with a new collegiate chapter of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals to provide mentorship, while also working with the FAA and others to open doors for internships and career opportunities. The LIFT Academy initiative is set to bring 35 full-time aviation jobs to the city over the next three years, averaging nearly $75,000 per year, and 57 certified flight instructors will help lead training at historic Moton Field.
“Tuskegee’s place in aviation history just started another chapter in American history,” Joe Turnham, Director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority, told Made In Alabama. “Moton Field in addition to pilot training has available land and is cultivating new opportunities for all types of aviation industries, including freight, assembly, air traffic control as well as maintenance.”
