Louis Freeman (pilot)

Louis Freeman (born June 12, 1952 in Austin, Texas) is a commercial airline pilot. In 1980 Freeman became Southwest Airlines' first black pilot, and, in 1992 he became the first black chief pilot of a major United States airline. His last flight was June 8, 2017.[1][2][3][4]

Louis Freeman
Born(1952-06-12)June 12, 1952
Austin, Texas
NationalityAmerican

Education

Freeman attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas. In 1967 Freeman and his brother, along with 8 others, were the first African American students to integrate[3] the school. They were also the first African American assistant drum majors for the Wilson High School. Freeman became the first African American cadet corps commander at the school's ROTC, prior to graduating in 1970.[2][3]

Thereafter, he enrolled at the East Texas State University. Here, once again, he was the first African American ROTC cadet corps commander. Freeman first attempted the Air Force Officers' Qualifying Test (AFOQT) in his Freshman year at East Texas. Though he failed the pilot aptitude section of the test, he passed the AFOQT in his subsequent attempt, the following year.[3] In 1974, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology.[2][3]

Air Force Career

Freeman was the first African American trainee to attend the United States Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training program at Reese Air Force Base outside of Lubbock, Texas.[2][3] After completing his training, Freeman was assigned to the 454th Flying Training Squadron at Mather Air Force Base in California. While at the 454th he flew the T-43's, and was one of the first Lieutenants to become a flight instructor and supervisor of flying. He remained at the Mather Air Force Base until 1980, before resigning his commission and moving to commercial aviation.[3]

References

Notes[5]

  1. "BWI Airport and Southwest Airlines Salute African American Aviation Pioneers - 1st African American Chief Pilot, 1st African American President of female flying organization highlight Feb. 24 program". Baltimore/Washington International Airport. 2005-02-05. Archived from the original on 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2006-06-09.
  2. "Black Airline Pilots". Avstop.com. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  3. Betty Kaplan Gubert; Miriam Sawyer; Caroline M. Fannin (2002). Distinguished African Americans in aviation and space science. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 127–129. ISBN 978-1-57356-246-1. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  4. "The Times Are Changing | Nuts About Southwest". Blogsouthwest.com. 2009-01-20. Archived from the original on 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  5. Johnson Publishing Company (27 March 2006). "Jet". Jet : 2004. Johnson Publishing Company: 12–. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved 2 January 2011. U.S. Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus .. will honor .. Freeman, who flew the remains of Rosa Parks ... to memorial services
  • 'Blacks in Aviation 1996, A Commemorative Brochure', Miami, FL: Metro-Dade Aviation Department 1996; Pages 63–64
  • 'Chief Pilot', Ebony, April 1993; Page 6
  • 'Workforce Moves Steadily toward Diversity', USA Today, May 15, 1995; Page 3B
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