So you ask, who are the Bronze Eagles? ...
Well, a little history...
In 1968, Elton R. "Sugar Ray" Thomas and Hulon "Pappy" White, former owners and operators of Sky Ranch Flying Service of Houston - located on the Historic Stevenson Ranch in Almeda, Texas - met with Dr. Jesse D. Hayes, Jr., Attorney Matthew Plummer, Horace Perkins, and several other local Negro -- ( This was the common ethnic identification at the time) Pilots.
This meeting provided the basis for the establishment of the Bronze Eagles Flying Club. One of the club's objectives was to promote aviation among Negroes. Another objective of critical importance began to take shape - exposing the world of aviation to youth; especially youths of color...
One of the first official acts was to become an affiliate of Negro Airmen International (NAI). In 1970, as a result of this affiliation,the Bronze Eagles Flying Club and the Chicago American Pilots Association (CAPA), under the umbrella of NAI, organized the first "Operation Skyhook" in Yazoo, Mississippi, for youth and Negro pilots across the nation.
In 1985 -due largely to the statewide role of flying youth in the cities of Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Mexia and Houston - the club's president at the time, David L. Alexander II; accepted a recommendation from Dr. Hayes and Doug Smoots for renaming the organization. The club's members voted to accept the recommendation and the organization became the Bronze Eagles Flying Club of Texas, with chapters in the above-mentioned cities. Dr. Hayes accepted the task to chair a committee which would rewrite the organization's constitution to parallel the Negro Airmen International's constitution.
More recently, the Bronze Eagles Flying Club of Texas became an affiliate of the Black Pilots of America (BPA); this organization was founded by former members of Negro Airmen International. The
relationship has cultivated a nation-wide network of African-American pilots and enthusiasts that are committed to reaching out to involve inner-city youths in order to expand their interest in achieving college degrees and aviation-related careers.
Some of the Original Bronze Eagle Pilots
Another Photo from 1972 of Bronze Eagle Pilots
This is Mrs. Azalia White, the first African American Woman to earn her Pilot's License in the state of Texas in 1946! Mrs. White (lovingly called Ms. A, was married to Hulon "Pappy" White; a Tuskegee Airmen, who along with Ben Stevenson and Elton "Ray" Thomas (also both Tuskegee Airmen), operated the first Negro owned Airport called "SKY RANCH" with flight training, Charter services, Cargo services, and other aviation services that would afford Negro G.I.'s and civilians the opportunity to enter into the aviation field.
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