My Father had always admired the fighter pilots of World War II; especially the black pilots who were members of the Tuskegee Airmen. Too young to join the ranks of fighter pilots during the actual war, my Father joined the Army Air Corps in 1946 at the age of 18.
In 1948 at the age of 20, my Father received his pilots license by utilizing the GI Bill. It wasn't an easy journey. There was finally one flight instructor that believed in him and accepted him into training. However, there were still many obstacles put in his way; even to the point of possible sabotage, just because the color of his skin.
Ultimately nothing could stand in his way, and from 1948 to 1994, he flew light aircraft without incident. He was an inspiration to myself and to my brother; who later became an instructor pilot in Long Beach California. Both of us joined the Air Force and continue to be deeply interested in all things aviation.
My Father also inspired some of my childhood friends to be interested in aviation; no matter their race. This book; written with children in mind, no doubt will inspire young people into the field of aviation.
