Aviation history is filled with tales of trailblazers. From shattered records to broken barriers, aviators have pushed the envelope far beyond speed records and marathon flights around the world. Throughout Black History Month, we’ll highlight the stories of heroes who helped pave the way for the Black-American aviators today: 

Over a career, many pilots remember a moment when we felt close to the line that separates a flight’s safe outcome from a tragedy. Even a decade later, we can easily recall exactly what made the difference.

On January 1, 2023, Capt. Jason Ambrosi began his term our 12th president. "I am honored and humbled to begin my term as the President of the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. As the world's largest pilots’ union, we are 67,000 members strong and proudly represent the finest aviators in the U.S. and Canada. Over the next four years, we will build upon our 90-plus year history and continue to advance our profession and promote the power of unionism," wrote Capt. Ambrosi in his first message as ALPA president.

Every year, millions of Americans decorate with outdoor lights and inflatable characters. With each passing year, these displays become more complex and integrate new technologies, particularly an increase in high-powered LEDs and lasers. But did you know that these dazzling light shows can put pilots—who are charged with the care of passengers and packages onboard their planes—in danger?

When airline accidents soared in the 1970s, Congress turned to independent experts for recommendations—and the government used them to transform U.S. air transportation into the world’s safest transport system. Today, as the nation looks to increase the diversity of its aviation workforce so that it better reflects the customers and communities it serves, Congress has again turned to independent experts for help—but will our lawmakers act on the recommendations?