Did
you know that Delaware State University offers bachelors’ degrees in Aviation Management
and Professional Pilot? Yes! It’s true!
Our
story begins in 1939. The Civilian Pilot
Training (CPT) Act of 1939 established flight programs at colleges and
universities across the United States, but the historically black colleges and
universities were excluded. Would-be African American pilots petitioned
President Roosevelt to allow them to be included in CPT programs. They were
successful! By the end of 1939 the Civil Aeronautics Authority (later named the
Federal Aviation Administration) approved several HBCUs including, Delaware
State University, to initiate CPT programs for a limited quota of students. When
the Tuskegee Army Flying School opened in 1941 as a result of World War II several
hundred graduates of HBCU flight schools made their way to the army. It is likely that DSU alumni were among the ranks of renowned Tuskegee Airmen.
The
flight school that was present in the early days of DSU fell to the wayside sometime
around World War II. However, during the
1987-1988 academic year the Department of Airway Science was revitalized. Degrees in Aircraft Systems Management and
Airway Science Management were offered in part thanks to an association with
the United Air Lines.
 |
In this photograph from the University Archives, the 1988 Flight Team stands with President Delauder following a regional flight competition. Caption on Back: "DSC 1988 Precision Flight Team; Team Awards - First in Safety, Third in Ground Events, Fourth Overall; 1988 National Intercollegiate Flying Association SAFECON, MacArthur Field, Long Island, NY” Daeshawn, Paul, and Justin explained that for DSU, the most coveted prize at SAFECON is not to be #1 team, but to achieve the Safety Award.
|
Today
the students of the DSU Aviation program thrive. They proudly fly a fleet of 10 aircrafts; six
Piper Warriors, two Piper Arrows, a Piper Tomahawk, and a Piper Seneca
multi-engine. The DSU planes are all painted bright blue with red tails in
honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who paved the way before them.
I
recently had the opportunity to speak with current juniors, Daeshawn Rose, Paul
Scherry and Justin Thompson to hear about their experiences in the DSU aviation
program. Daeshawn explained, “I love being a part of DSU’s aviation program
because it allows me to do things that the average college student would not be
able to do.” He wasn’t kidding. DSU
aviation students depart daily from the Dover Municipal Airport for
destinations all across the East Coast. Not only do they network and interact
with professional pilots and air traffic controllers along the way, but they
also get to explore the eastern United States.
They fly over some of the most famous vistas such as Niagara Falls and
New York City. Feel like flying to North
Carolina for a sandwich? No problem. These guys know the best airport
restaurants and small town USA eateries.
So
if you see a blue and red dot moving across the sky, cheer on your fellow
classmates. In the future they will be the ones to fly you across the country,
transport your packages, and perform a whole host of other services.
Bibliography:
Carver,
Joseph, and Jerome A. Ennels. The
Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949. Montgomery, AL:
NewSouth Books, 2011.
 |
DSU students talk about in-flight maneuvering circa 2000. Notice the wing of the
DSU plane has red stripping in homage to the Tuskegee Airmen who
helped pave the way for these students.
Photograph Source: PR Photographic collection, DSU archives |
Written by Joy Scherry
