Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis, 60, studied on scholarship at Tuskegee University and graduated with a degree in Chemistry. He learned to fly with the Tuskegee Airmen under "Chief" Anderson, whom many consider to be the father of black aviation. His experiences with Anderson led him to join the Air Force ROTC program, which led him to a career in the Air Force. After several successful Air Force commands, internships in the Senate, and five Pentagon posts, Lewis returned to Tuskegee and to Moton Field, where he first learned to fly. Among his latest achievements, he helped to secure $21.9 million in federal funds for the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, to establish a four-year aviation degree program at Tuskegee University and get upgrades for Tuskegee's historic Moton Field.

What progress have blacks made in aviation over the last ten years?

Over the last ten years or so, I think we've lost ground. I don't think we've made as much progress, in our numbers. I have young people today flying Apache helicopters, pushing the throttle of executive jets, and they are qualified.

Competition for pilot slots has become extremely intense, and that's why it's important to get a young student interested so that he or she may compete successfully for a military or airline seat. We have to get young people into programs that facilitate them being successful.

An increase in the ranks of black pilots is something I truly want to see, but there needs to be some changes to make that happen. Unless we get more young people interested, provide some more opportunities in the world, mentor them and let them know that these opportunities are available we will not have significant increases.

Does the industry see the fact that there are so few African-American commercial pilots as a significant issue?

It is a significant issue for black pilots and that's why many of us work so hard to try and get our youngsters involved in aviation. There's no natural door to get minorities involved in aviation, so we try to do it through educational outlets.

You have very few historically black colleges and universities that have the FAA sanctioned flight program with the aviation option: you'll see engineering programs and maintenance programs that are FAA sanctioned, but you have no flight programs.

If you don't have the opportunity, and you don't facilitate the demand, you won't see many minority pilots in the industry.

What is the commercial aviation industry doing to reach out to prospective minority pilots?

There are grassroots efforts by very small organizations of minority pilots to try to keep things going. The Airmen give annual scholarships to students interested in the Aerospace industry, not only to minority students but also to any student. There are other, smaller organizations, like the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, who struggle valiantly to try and mentor young people to get ratings and teach them what they need to do prepare for the airline industry.

Negro Airmen International, founded by Tuskegee Airmen instructors, their mission is to carry on the legacy of aviation by touching young black kids through an Ace Camp. Black Pilots of America are very much interested in and work with youths through ace camps. They too train young people, take kids for rides in chapters around the country, and they have aviation immersion camps to carry on the legacy of minority pilots.

There are a number of small minority pilot organizations all dedicated in one way or another to carry the legacy on, through helicopter, fixed-wing, military, commercial. They all reach back to help carry on the legacy. The idea is to get young people up and going and keep flying. Chief Anderson gave me the keys to the airport [Moton Field] and said "keep'em flying." It's a tough thing to try and do, and it's not where we want it to be.

What are the challenges for African-Americans in entering the aviation field?

Aviation is a capital-intensive industry, and of course in many minority homes you do not have the disposable income to participate in aviation. Even though there is military aviation, and it has always been an opportunity the minority community has taken advantage of to get involved, in recent years the military has not had many slots...fewer pilot slots and training spaces available for everyone...obviously that effects everyone but also minority as well.

Those of us involved must connect with like-minded people to find the funding to get minority people involved and find them job opportunities. It is a very worthwhile avocation, and a way to better oneself.

What is the impact the Tuskegee Airmen have had on your life?

Imagine all these men, 18-26 years old, with visions of achievement. These young men wanted to fly and fight for the country and despite obstacles, worked very hard to achieve their goals.

We try very hard to live by the Airmen's mottos. The 2nd motto is 'performance is your measure of merit.' If you perform to your standards, you are far above the standards that everyone set for you. You will far exceed the expectations others have for you.

The 3rd motto was the double V: victory over Hitler and victory over segregation. Their performance caused Truman to issue Exec Order 9981, which desegregated the armed forces. Everything after that, including the civil rights movement, was influenced by the Airmen.

This is not a black and white issue with the Airmen; this is an American story of the first order. The history of the Airmen is such a critical part of the industry that it must be preserved for the nation. It's an example that young people can in fact achieve, develop, and perform to a level above everyone else. An individual can overcome their obstacles to achieve goals, to achieve good: that's a lesson the Airmen taught that young people need to learn.

Who were your role models when you were growing up?

Chief Anderson...his example is my example. A tremendous individual, the epitome of integrity. He introduced me to the Airmen and introduced me to all the flight instructors...took me under his wing as one of 'Chief's Boys.'

Gen. Benjamin O. Davis [an original Tuskegee Airman] set an example of leadership. Chappie James [another Airman] was the definition of patriotism; he wore it on his sleeves. And General Herbert E. Carter, he said, "go forth young man, and replace me in the Air Force." At Tuskegee, at Moton, we were touched with examples of leadership and discipline.

--Lewis was interviewed by Annette Santiago

Special Report: Blacks In Aviation