David E. Harris facts for kids

David Ellsworth Harris (born December 22, 1934 – died March 2024) was a very important person in aviation history. He was the first African American to become a commercial airline pilot. He also became the first African American to reach the rank of Pilot Captain for a big U.S. airline.

Growing Up and School

David Harris was born in Columbus, Ohio, on December 22, 1934. He grew up in a neighborhood where people of different backgrounds lived together. He went to a private high school called University School.

In 1957, Harris graduated from Ohio State University. He earned a degree in education. While at the university, he tried to join the advanced Air Force ROTC program. This program trains college students to become officers in the Air Force. Harris was turned down twice because of his race. However, he eventually got in and became a high-ranking cadet.

Joining the U.S. Air Force

In 1958, Harris joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF). He became a 2nd lieutenant after finishing his ROTC training.

He completed his basic flight training in Orlando, Florida. Then, he finished advanced flight training in Big Spring, Texas. There, he learned to fly large Boeing B-47 Stratojet planes. Harris was then sent to different Air Force bases across the U.S. He also served at an airbase in England. This was during the Cold War, when the U.S. Air Force watched the Soviet Union closely. Harris flew B-47s that carried nuclear weapons. He also piloted the B-52 for the Strategic Air Command (SAC).

While serving, Harris faced unfair treatment because of his race. This included problems finding housing. To better support his wife and two children, he left the military on December 1, 1964. He left with the rank of captain.

Becoming a Commercial Pilot

Before leaving the military, Harris applied for pilot jobs with several major U.S. airlines. He was not successful. Many airlines denied him a position because he was African American. Even though Harris had light skin and could have been mistaken for white, he always ended his job applications with a clear statement: “I'm married, I have two children and I'm black.”

In 1964, Harris had an interview with American Airlines. He told the interviewer right away that he was African American. He wanted to avoid being denied the job because of his race. The chief pilot who interviewed him said something important. He said, “This is American Airlines and we don't care if you're black, white or chartreuse, we only want to know, can you fly the plane?”

Just two days after leaving the Air Force, on December 3, 1964, Harris made history. He became the first African American hired as a commercial airline pilot for a major U.S. airline, American Airlines. After nine weeks of training, Harris became an American Airlines co-pilot. Three years later, in 1967, he became the first African American male to achieve the rank of Pilot Captain for a major U.S. commercial airline.

During his time at American Airlines, Harris flew many different types of planes. These included the Boeing 747, Boeing 727, and Airbus A300. He also flew the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, which was American Airlines' biggest plane during his career.

Harris retired in 1994, after flying for American Airlines for 30 years. He is remembered as a pioneer for African American pilots. After Harris was hired, other major airlines also began hiring their first African American pilots.

Friendship with Whitney Young

In 1967, Harris met Whitney Young, a famous civil rights leader. Young was the head of the National Urban League. They met on one of Harris’ flights in Indianapolis, Indiana. Harris left his cockpit to introduce himself to Young. He thanked Young for helping African Americans get jobs in many different fields, including aviation.

Four years later, Young sadly drowned in Lagos, Nigeria. Young's wife, Margaret, asked American Airlines to find the African American pilot her husband had met. She wanted that pilot to fly her husband's body back to the United States. American Airlines offered an all-African-American flight and cabin crew. But Margaret said no. She explained, "That's not the way of the Urban League. It should be black and white together." Honoring her wishes, Harris flew Young's body from Lagos, Nigeria, to New York City, New York.

Later Life and Passing

David Harris was married to Lynne Purdy Harris. They had two children together.

After he retired, Harris lived in Beverly, Massachusetts. He also lived in Country Haven, a special community near Trenton, South Carolina, where people can fly their own planes. He flew his own single-engine plane there.

David E. Harris passed away in March 2024, at 89 years old.

Groups and Organizations

Harris served as the president of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP). He was also a member of the Negro Airmen International (NAI). These groups support and connect Black pilots.

Honors and Recognition

David Harris received several important honors:

• The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum has an exhibit called “Black Wings in Aviation.” It features Harris, his uniform, hat, and other items.
• The American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, also has a permanent exhibit about Harris.
• During a ceremony honoring him, Harris shared his thoughts. He said, "I'm honored and humbled by this award... but the reality is that there were 500 pilots Tuskegee Airmen who were qualified for airline jobs when they left the service. None of them received an opportunity to sit in a cockpit. There is no way I should be the first; it should've happened long before 1964." He meant that many Black pilots were ready for these jobs much earlier.