Alabama Governor Joins Celebration of Flight School Partnership

Alabama Governor Joins Celebration of Flight School Partnership

April 18, 2024

Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

Dr. Morris brings greetings from the university with the Governor in the background.

Under overcast skies that periodically allowed the sun to peek across the runway at Moton Field, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey joined the City of Tuskegee, the Macon County Economic Development Authority, LIFT Academy and Tuskegee University to introduce a partnership that will restore flight training to an airfield where the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen began.

"I don't have to remind anyone of the significance of where we're standing," said Gov. Ivey. "A new chapter is set to unfold; one with innovation and boundless promise. Tuskegee University is steeped in academic excellence and will pay a pivotal role in this project."

After several years of collaboration, the teams introduced aircraft and a painted tail, featuring the university's TU logo, as examples of what students will be using to earn flight hours. The university has planned to launch a flight school and degree program next fall pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

"We are excited that this will honor the Tuskegee Airmen who were trained on the Tuskegee University campus," said Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, President of Tuskegee University. "We are pleased to partner with the City of Tuskegee, the state, the county and LIFT Academy. This gives our students an opportunity to expand their opportunities. We also want to honor the pilot who trained them, of course, that was Chief Charles Anderson."

Last month, Tuskegee University announced a $6.7 million award for federal funding to support the flight school and degree program sponsored by Alabama Sen. Katie Britt. The Moton Field event introduced the LIFT Academy and municipal partners who have collaborated on the program.

"We are on the grounds where the Tuskegee Airmen made history," said Tuskegee Mayor Tony Haygood. "And we're on the way to make new history."

"This was a long time coming and is a pure collaboration," said Joe Turnham, Director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority. "One day we will have 20 - 25 trainers and students out here. Continue to support us, we've got a lot of great things happening."

Tuskegee's new program will offer a bachelor's degree in Aviation Science (pilot track) with two components. The first component includes general education core and aviation science related courses in aerodynamics, aircraft structures, aircraft propulsion, performance stability and control as well as meteorology. The second component is flight training where students will be able to take the appropriate FAA certification for private and commercial pilot certificates. The university is optimistic that the new flight program will help an industry where the pilot shortage is expected to worsen as demand for air travel continues to grow.

"We will train a new generation of aviators who will support the need for military and commercial pilots in general and African American pilots specifically," said Dr. Morris. "This new generation of Tuskegee airmen and women will continue the contribution that we have made with a focus on delivering excellence in the air and on the ground."

© 2024 Tuskegee University

Audience looks on. Provost S. Keith Hargrove tests the LIFT aircraft students will learn to fly, along with Darrel E. Morton, Sr.
Manager Educational Programs and Diversity Partnerships, Republic Airways.

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