"Charles Alfred Anderson" (February 9,1907-April 13,1996)

Often called "the Father of Black Aviation," because of training and mentoring of hundreds of African Americans pilots,was born in Bryn

Mawr,Pennsylvania,a Philadelphia suburd.His parents were Janie & Iverson Anderson.Charles earned the name "Chief" because he was the most ranked and experienced African American pilot before coming Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAA) in 1940.By that point he had amassed 3,500 hours of flight prompting most of his contemporaries,and students to call him by that name as a sign of their respect for his accomplishments.Charles was also the Chief flight instructor for all cadets and flight instructors at Tuskegee during World War II.

While growing up in Bryn Mawr,Charles developed an interest in aviation.In August 1929,at the age of 22,he borrowed $2,500 from friends and relatives,bought a used airplane,and taught himself to fly.Later that year he received License,No.7638.In 1932,Charles received a commercial pilot's license and air-transport pilot license becoming the first African-American to hold both.Certificates.In the same year he wed his childhood sweetheart,Gertrude Elizabeth Nelson.They had two sons.

In July 1933,Chief Anderson and Dr.Albert Foresythe an Atlantic City surgeon and Tuskegee University graduate made aviation history when they became the first African-American to fly a plane across the United States from Atlantic City,New Jersey,to Los Angeles,California and back.Their two-seat Fairchild 24 which they called The Pride of Atlantic City,had no,parachutes,landing lights,radio,or "blind" flying instruments.The pilots used a road map for navigation.Charles and Dr.Albert were sponsored along the way.In 1935,they flew a "goodwill" flight to the Bahamas,Cuba,Jamaica,Haiti,and five other Caribbean countries in their plane named The Spirit of Booker T.Washington.

In 1940,Chief Anderson became the first flight instructor at Tuskegee University.Tusegee President Frederick Patterson persuaded Charles to start the Civillan Pilot Training Program,the first at a historically African American college.By the end of the year Charles had recruited four others pilots for the program,Charles Foxx,Milton P.Crenchaw,Forrest Shelton,and Richard Davis.

On April 19,1941,First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Tuskegee University.During her visit she asked Chief Anderson if African Americans could really navigate the skies.Charles invited her to fly with him.Mrs.Roosevelt agreed and was flown over Tuskegee.Airmen during World War II and Charles was put in charge of their training.Between 1940 & 1946,Charles and fellow instructors trained nearly 1,000 pilots,bombardies,navigators,and other flight personnel.

Charles continued to train civilian pilots After World War II and to promote aviation and aeronautical education among African Americans the next 50 years.A founding member of Negro Airmen International,for 22 years he trained 16-19 year old African American youth the NAI's Summer Flight Academy.By the time of his death,he had amassed over 52,000 flying hours.Charles died at his home in Tuskegee after a long battle with cancer.