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Civil Aeronautics Authority
Opens Training To Blacks The Civilian Pilot Training program’s mission was to provide a pool for civilian pilots for wartime emergency. Six black colleges in the eastern United States, including Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and one non-college flying school in the Midwest–the Coffey School of Aeronautics–were authorized to train black pilots. Despite the modest funds allocated for these segregated training programs, the number of licensed black pilots grew dramatically. These training programs were authorized in 1939. But not until March 1941 was Tuskegee’s 99th Fighter Squadron—an all-black unit—activated. Congress authorized the squadron’s activation, despite opposition from the U.S. Army Air Corps and the War Department. This marked the entry of blacks into military aviation. Tuskegee Army Air Field at Tuskegee Institute became the training center for all black fighter pilots during World War II. PREVIOUS PAGE | VIEW IMAGES FROM THIS SECTION |
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