History is taking flight again at Tuskegee University. Isaiah Hand, a 20-year-old Aviation Science major from Tallahassee, Florida, has become the first student in nearly 80 years to earn a private pilot’s license at the university, reviving the storied legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Hand’s achievement comes as part of Tuskegee’s newly relaunched four-year Aviation Science Degree Program, which integrates FAA-certified pilot training into its curriculum.
Standing on the runway at Moton Field, the same historic grounds where the original Tuskegee Airmen trained during World War II, Hand reflected on the moment he earned his license. “There is no other feeling like it,” Hand said in a press release posted on Tuskegee’s website.
Tuskegee’s aviation program was brought back to life last year thanks to a $6.7 million federal investment secured by Alabama Senator Katie Britt. The program enables students to pursue a comprehensive track of aeronautical ratings, ranging from private and instrument ratings to commercial and multi-engine certifications, preparing them for careers in military or civil aviation.
University President Dr. Mark A. Brown praised Hand’s milestone as a clear sign of what’s to come.
“Confident, excited, poised, and ready to tackle the most complex problems our world has to offer,” Brown said. “Like Isaiah, our students are ready to continue the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and serve our nation.”
Program director Capt. Titus Sanders said Hand’s success was no surprise. “His enthusiasm and excitement for both aviation and Tuskegee were very clear from day one,” Sanders noted. “I am not surprised that he is the first of this year’s cohort to get his check ride.”
Hand, a first-generation college student, reached this milestone through sheer dedication. Instead of taking a summer break, he opted for an intensive 12-week training session to complete his flight hours. Now, he’s already working toward his next goals: earning an instrument rating, commercial license, and multi-engine certification.
Outside the cockpit, Hand is just as committed to campus life. He plays euphonium and serves as a section leader in Tuskegee’s Crimson Pipers marching band, balancing long days of “flight, class, band—and then more flight, class, and band.”
