Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Strategic Communications
Tuskegee University is soaring into a new era of aviation excellence thanks to a remarkable $5.29 million federal investment championed by U.S. Senator Katie Britt. This new funding—now signed into law—raises Senator Britt’s total support for Tuskegee’s aviation program to nearly $12 million, marking one of the most significant single investments in the program’s modern history.
This latest allocation directly covers the cost of flight training, removing one of the biggest barriers students face as they pursue aviation careers. It opens the skies—literally—for the next generation of Tuskegee aviators.
Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen Legacy at Moton Field
The announcement is especially meaningful because Tuskegee’s flight training continues at historic Moton Field, where the original Tuskegee Airmen trained in the 1940s. Senator Britt’s support ensures that today’s students, standing on the same ground as those legendary pilots, can continue a tradition of service, skill, and excellence that reshaped American history.
“This is a powerful reminder of what the Tuskegee Airmen achieved—and of the leadership of past presidents who fought to make sure our students could fly,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University. “Senator Britt’s investment helps Tuskegee students once again take their place in the sky.”
A Promise Made—and Kept
Tuskegee University awarded Senator Britt an honorary degree last fall. At that ceremony, she looked out at the aviation students in their signature program polos and made them a promise: she would secure the funding needed to support their dreams. She delivered.
“We are grateful for Senator Britt’s unwavering belief in our mission and in our students,” said Dr. Brown. “Her leadership ensures that Tuskegee University continues to prepare aviators who are ready to fly for the military, commercial airlines, corporate flight departments, or wherever their ambitions take them.”
Senator Britt serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where her advocacy has already provided $6.7 million in earlier funding, bringing Tuskegee’s recent aviation-related federal support to approximately $12 million.
Preparing Pilots for a Nation—and World—in Need
Tuskegee University is uniquely positioned to confront one of today’s most urgent workforce challenges: the global pilot shortage. According to industry estimates, commercial aviation alone will need more than 600,000 new pilots worldwide over the next two decades.
With a bachelor’s degree in aviation science—including a flight option through a formal partnership with Republic Airways/LIFT Academy—Tuskegee students receive elite training and full FAA certification.
“With flight training support and Senator Britt’s commitment,” Dr. Brown noted, “Tuskegee will once again—just as the Tuskegee Airmen did in World War II—help our nation solve its most pressing challenges. At Tuskegee University, we remain true to our mission of solving the world’s most complex problems.”
A Hopeful, High-Flying Future
This investment ensures today’s Tuskegee aviators can move directly into the air—with no financial barrier between their dreams and the cockpit. That means more:
- Military pilots
- Commercial airline pilots
- Corporate and business aviation pilots
- Private aviators and entrepreneurs
Senator Britt’s support empowers Tuskegee students not only to honor a historic legacy, but to lead the future of aviation in Alabama, across the nation, and around the world.
“Tuskegee’s legacy is powerful,” Dr. Brown said. “And with partners like Senator Britt, our future is even brighter.”
© 2026 Tuskegee University
