THE MEN ARE BACK: A NEW GENERATION OF TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
Sanders Aviation and Red Tail Scholarship Foundation Partnering Together for the Future of Aviation
Jasper, Alabama - Sanders Aviation and Sanders Flight Training Center have partnered with the Red Tail Scholarship Foundation to encourage all who are interested in aviation to be able to achieve their goals. On Saturday, November 16, 2019, Sanders Aviation hosted a ceremony at the Walker County Airport to celebrate this partnership. During this ceremony, Sanders Aviation unveiled the Red Tail Airplane, and the first four students Sanders Aviation has had from the Red Tail Scholarship Foundation graduated. Sanders Aviation was honored to host Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed, on Saturday. During Senator Reed’s visit, he and his wife Mitsy were able to tour Sanders Aviation’s Facility, and meet with the four graduates of the 141 School at Sanders Flight Training Center.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Red Tail Scholarship Foundation and Tuskegee to keep an important part of Alabama History alive and bring growth and opportunities to Walker and Macon Counties. Sanders Aviation and Sanders Flight Training Center are rooted in forward motion for all those who dream of becoming involved aviation.”
- Jessica Walker; Sanders Aviation
The 141 School at Sanders Flight Training Center will serve as a flight school for the recipients of the Red Tail Scholarship. Sanders Flight Training Center will be opening a satellite 141 School at Moton Field, the original home of the Tuskegee Airmen. This training center will offer Private Pilot Ground Certification, Private Pilot Airplane Certification and Instrument Ground Certification, along with a FAA Testing Facility to take the written knowledge test.
“With Sanders Aviation’s experience and reputation, we are honored that they feel the same way about helping the younger generation, especially the African American community.”
-Will Sparrow; Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Co-Found of Red Tail Scholarship Foundation
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces, during World War II. The standards we so high for these men, they became an elite group. These men were unquestionably the brightest and most physically fit. This group of pilots went on to become known as the Red Tails due to the tails of their aircraft being painted crimson. Their heroism inspired the creation of the Red Tail Scholarship Foundation, and the partnership with Sanders Aviation.
“Congratulations to the young aviators who just graduated from the Sanders Flight Training Center. These aviators are continuing a proud tradition of excellence that goes back to the Tuskegee Airmen, who served with such honor and distinction during World War Two.
I congratulate the Sanders Aviation team for their hard work in creating this innovative partnership with the Red Tail Scholarship Foundation. The Sanders Flight Training Center is opening doors of opportunity for aspiring aviators across our state. Alabama’s aviation and aerospace industry has thriving hubs in Huntsville and Mobile — and thanks to Sanders Aviation, Jasper and Walker County are on the map, too, as a destination for aviation students, jobs, and companies.”
-Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed (R-Jasper)
About Red Tail Scholarship Foundation: Will Sparrow and Rich Peace, Co-Founders of Red Tail Scholarship Foundation, had a revelation one day that everyone is talking about equality, but nothing was being done in the aviation field. Something had to be done to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, and to bring the world of aviation to the younger generation. Only 2% of commercial and private pilots are black, and Will and Rich are set on increasing that percentage. To date they have had 20+ students. By January 2020, 5 of those students will be Certified Flight Instructors.
About Sanders Aviation: Sanders Aviation was founded in 1996, by Joseph Gordon “Gordo” Sanders, Jr, in Jasper, Alabama, at the Walker County Airport. Sanders Aviation has grown into one of the largest military to airline training facilities in the country. As a FAA Certified Part 141 and Part 142 for Delta Air Crew Training Facilities Sanders Aviation is bringing thousands of people to Walker County, Alabama, each year.
About Sanders Flight Training Center: Sanders Flight Training is a 141 school for those seeking check rides, from private pilot to multi-engine ATP’s. Our instructors have over 50,000 hours of combined military fighter pilot, instructor pilot, and major airline experience. Joey "Gordo" Sanders is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner(DPE) and conducts check rides onsite at Sanders Aviation.