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TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WSFA) – Thirteen aviation students at Tuskegee University were celebrated with new bomber jackets during a ceremony Wednesday, marking one year since the university launched its Aviation Science Program.
The students achieved an FAA Aeronautical Rating while enrolled in the program, according to the university. The Aviation Science Bachelor of Science curriculum is offered through Tuskegee’s Aerospace Science Engineering Department, the second largest department in the engineering college.
Isaiah Hand is one of the 13 aviation students who have reached the milestone.
“We’re still just the beginning. We’ve got a long way to go,” Hand said.
The honor includes receiving a new bomber jacket.
“The amount of work and effort it took just to get this far is insane. And I’m so proud of all these guys and women here with me. And it’s no other feeling like it,” Hand said.
The custom bomber jackets are in the tradition of the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II and symbolize the elite status earned by pilots trained at Tuskegee University, according to the university. The students started with zero flight hours and are now qualified to fly, earning more than 200 hours as commercial or private instrument pilots.
Most of their flight training happened on Tuskegee’s Moton Field, the same ground where Tuskegee Airmen once trained. The students are preparing to fill a need for commercial airline pilots.
Titus Sanders, former Tuskegee University Aviation Science Program Director, serves as theChairman of the Board of Directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). He said Boeing and Airbus are producing a high quantity of aircraft delivered to air carriers daily.
“And as a result of that, there’s an increased need for additional pilots. Couple that with a mandatory retirement of 65, and there’s a void that needs to be filled by the next generation of students, including these students here at Tuskegee University,” Sanders said.
Tuskegee University President and CEO Dr. Mark Brown said nine of the students have their commercial license. Brown said the class had a 100% pass rate on a test taken during the program.
Along with the jackets and FAA rating, the scholars each have a call name, a nickname used for radio communication.
Willie Murdock said his call sign is G-Q, which stands for Gentleman’s Quarterly.
“I dress pretty nice, and people know, so I’m just like one of the models. It means everything to share this moment. All of us are so happy for each other, especially since we’ve given each other these call signs. And I’m as happy as them as I am for myself,” Murdock said.
Murdock said the students have spent semesters and summers together, and it takes months to earn ratings.
“We pray for each other. We’re always there for each other. And we study together. This is a real family, and I’m happy to be a partner,” Murdock said.
Murdock’s next step is becoming a certified flight instructor.
Brown calls the program a representation of a renaissance at Tuskegee adding that the students have set a standard for pilots who follow them.
“You have to discipline the mind every day in order to go through the rigor of flight training. Because aviation, thousands of miles in the sky, is unforgiving. And the only thing that gets you there is competence, preparation, and practice. And that’s the Tuskegee way,” Brown said.