Page 53 - Appendix A

What year did you complete your training and at what location?
1972 at Laredo AFB, Texas

You are enjoying a successful career as a commercial airline pilot. How long have you been in
this career? In your estimation, based on your observations/experiences, have black student
pilots done better in training for the airlines than in the military and if so why do you think
that is?
I retired from the Airlines after a 37-year career. I was an instructor and line check airman for
20 of those years. Initially, the black pilots that came after me did very well in training. I
believe that is because most of the blacks hired at the time came from military training and
separated shortly after the Vietnam era. The capability of those pilots was excellent. Later,

when civilian black pilots were hired, I felt there was a little loss of discipline and drive. I felt
some, not all, felt that they had “made it” and either never had extremely high skills or felt
comfortable performing at less than what I would consider to be acceptable as a black. Again, I
felt you have to excel as a black pilot to be considered equal, and it was frustrating to see some
who didn’t attempt to rise to their best capability.