For Black History Month, student and aspiring airline pilot, KASHA-MARIE ABABIO, takes a look at some black aviation role models that deserve more recognition—from female pioneers to fighter pilots, ATC controllers, and the author of a legendary book about flying.
Aviation has transformed dramatically over the past century, evolving from the daring dream of the Wright brothers into an essential part of our daily existence. As October marks Black History Month in the UK, it serves as a perfect opportunity to honour the countless black aviators who have broken barriers and reshaped the skies we know today.
These trailblazers pursued their passion in an era when their skills, ambition, and very presence were often questioned. Their achievements not only paved the way for future generations but also laid the foundation for greater inclusion and opportunities in aviation. Here are five remarkable black pioneers in aviation whose stories are deserving of recognition and celebration.
Bessie Coleman
(US National Archives)
Born in Texas in 1892, Bessie Coleman overcame immense challenges to become the first African American woman to earn an international pilot’s license. Growing up under Jim Crow laws, Coleman attended a segregated school with limited resources, often missing classes to help her family during the cotton harvest. Faced with few career options, she worked as a manicurist but never abandoned her dream of flying.
After facing multiple rejections from aviation schools in the United States, Coleman sought opportunities abroad. She enrolled at the Caudron Brothers’ Aviation School in France, earning her Fédération Aéronautique Internationale pilot’s license in 1921—the first American to do so.
Coleman toured the U.S. as a barnstormer, captivating audiences with her aerial shows; she famously refused to perform unless the audience was desegregated. Coleman aspired to open a flying school for African Americans, but her life was tragically cut short in an air crash in 1926. She has since been honoured with a 1995 U.S. postage stamp and a 2023 quarter from the American Women Quarters Program.
George E Hardy
(USAF Museum)
George E. Hardy joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 at just 18 years old—two years prior to the acceptance of black pilots into military aviation. Previously, African Americans were relegated to roles such as cooks and tailors based on the racist premise that they lacked the technical skills required for combat. Hardy trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama and became a fighter pilot flying the P-51 Mustang.
Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and joined the 332nd Fighter Group and the 99th Fighter Squadron—the famed ‘Red Tails.’ Hardy served in three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam, completing over 100 combat missions throughout his career. He retired in 1971 as a lieutenant colonel and received the distinguished flying cross with valor, along with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, honouring all 992 Tuskegee Airmen who shattered racial barriers. Hardy passed away in September 2025, as the last surviving Tuskegee Airman.
Theresa Claiborne
(United Airlines)
On September 16, 1982, Theresa Claiborne earned her silver wings from the USAF, becoming the first black woman to serve as a Second Lieutenant, aircraft commander, and instructor on the KC-135. Over her 25 years of service, both on active duty and reserves, Claiborne rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following her time in the Air Force, she joined United Airlines, advancing from a flight engineer on the Boeing 727 to the captain of the 747, retiring in May 2024.
Claiborne has also served on the board of directors for the Women Airforce Service Pilots Museum in Texas, as a board member for the Grand Dames of Aviation, and as the co-founder and president of Sisters of the Skies (SOS). This nonprofit organization aims to increase the number of black women and girls in professional aviation, where representation currently sits at less than 1%. Through mentorship, workshops, and scholarships, SOS continues to inspire and empower the next generation of black female pilots across the U.S.
Oscar Wayman Holmes
(US National Archives)
With a degree in chemistry from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Oscar Wayman Holmes found himself disliking the field. However, he quickly recognized its value when he entered the aviation world. In 1941, Holmes completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program established under Roosevelt and earned his private pilot’s license.
He soon saw a CAA announcement seeking college-educated pilots to train as air traffic controllers. Starting as an assistant controller at the New York Airway Traffic Control Centre, Holmes’s race was initially unnoticed due to his fair complexion and name. However, when the CAA discovered his race at a later stage, it blocked his promotions despite his supervisor’s backing. Determined to succeed, Holmes joined the U.S. Navy, where he became a naval aviator, ferrying aircraft such as the Grumman F6F Hellcat during World War II.
After the war, Holmes returned to air traffic control, advancing to Senior Controller at LaGuardia Airport and later joining the FAA in 1959. He retired in 1973 to pursue a new career in law, earning several honors for his service, including the U.S. Campaign Medal and the coveted Navy Wings of Gold.
Robert Prest
(Dave Gledhill/92 Sqn Association)
Robert ‘Bob’ Prest joined the Royal Air Force in 1968, beginning his training at RAF Chivenor, where he mastered diverse skills, including low-level navigation and canoeing. Graduating from OCU in 1971, he became a Phantom F-4 pilot and flew with 43, 92, and 23 Squadrons.
Prest trained with the U.S. Marines, Navy, and NATO, collaborating with air forces from Germany, France, Norway, and Belgium. His memoir, F-4 Phantom: A Pilot’s Story, offers an intimate and raw account of Cold War aviation, celebrated among pilots and enthusiasts alike. Among his notable achievements, Prest expressed pride in serving as deputy formation leader during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, a moment of distinction in his career.
After retiring from the RAF in 1980, Prest flew for the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force, piloting Jaguars for five years before transitioning to commercial aviation. He ultimately took command of impressive aircraft like the Boeing 777 and 747, marking a successful end to his aviation career.