Isaiah Hand: The First Tuskegee Student in 80 Years to Earn a Private Pilot License
Isaiah Hand, a 20-year-old Aviation Science major at Tuskegee University, etched his name in history in August 2025. He became the first student in nearly eight decades to earn his private pilot certificate at Moton Field under the university’s relaunched Aviation Science Degree Program. This milestone achievement carries forward the legendary legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Hand’s accomplishment was made possible by a generous $6.7 million in federal funding. This funding was secured by Alabama Senator Katie Britt, with the aim to reestablish aviation training at this historic institution.
“There is no other feeling like it,” Hand reflected on earning his wings.
The program now enrolls almost 50 students, with 16 others currently working toward their pilot certifications. The four-year Aviation Science Degree Program represents a renaissance of aviation education at Tuskegee. It aims to train the next generation of diverse pilots for military and commercial aviation careers.
Source: General Aviation News