ISAIAH HAND: “I am a first-generation college student in my family, so in many ways this feels like uncharted territory,” said the senior from Tallahassee. PHOTO COURTESY OF TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY

By David L. Snelling

Miami – Tuskegee University student Isaiah Hand has made history.

The senior from Tallahassee, FL. became the first student at the school to earn his private pilot license in nearly 80 years, echoing the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The university relaunched its fouryear aviation science degree program, which was dormant since the 1940s.

Hand, 20, said he was elated when he was granted his private pilot’s license at Moton Field Municipal Airport in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he took flight.

“There is no other feeling like it,” Hand said.

Hand began the aeronautical ratings part of the degree program in January and opted to forego vacation to continue training during the 12-week summer session with this goal always in sight.

Sixteen other students are currently progressing toward their license certifications, the first of four aeronautical ratings that students earn in the program.

Tuskegee University President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown credits Alabama Senator Katie Britt for allowing the school to reopen its aviation science program in almost eight decades.

Lacking funding for the program, Britt secured $6.7 million in funding for the school to begin training a new generation of Tuskegee Airmen and women.

“Our work to reintroduce aviation to our students would not be possible without the support we’ve received from Sen. Katie Britt,” said Brown.

“Her push for funding has helped provide our students with the resources they need to become the next generation of Tuskegee Airmen and Women.

“As a result, the total enrollment in the Aviation Science Program is almost 50 and growing in student popularity, with most tracking to commercial pilot licenses for military and civil aviation careers.”

Brown said the impact is already being felt with Hand’s history-marking achievement and other students following suit.

“This is exactly the kind of impact we want to have on our students,” said Brown. “I spoke to Isaiah. He stopped on his motorcycle on the way to class. One only has to look into his eyes to be clear about our purpose. Confident, excited, poised and ready to tackle the most complex problems our world has to offer. Like Isaiah, our students are excited about our aviation science degree program and ready to continue the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and serve our nation. To be clear, Tuskegee will continue to train and prepare our students to solve the world’s most complex problems and Isaiah is well on his way.”

Hand is already underway with his next milestone, the instrument rating, which will be followed by a commercial pilot’s license and a commercial multi-engine rating.

“I am a first-generation college student in my family, so in many ways this feels like uncharted territory,” he said.

Captain Titus Sanders, Tuskegee’s aviation science program director, said Hand is the face of the program.

“His enthusiasm and excitement for both aviation and Tuskegee were very clear from day one,” said Sanders. “I am not surprised that he is the first of this year’s cohort to get his check ride,” he added, referring to the flight a student must complete to demonstrate complete mastery of all required skills and maneuvers alongside a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Designated Pilot Examiner.

Hand joins the lore of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.

They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces.

The airmen were educated at Tuskegee University and trained at Tuskegee Army air fields, Griel Field, Kennedy Field and Moton Field.

The Tuskegee Airmen received praise for their excellent combat record earned while protecting American bombers from enemy fighters.

The group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations.