Remembering Aviation Giant and OBAP Hall of Famer Les Morris

By Tanya Austin

The aviation community pauses in collective gratitude and remembrance as it honors the life of Les Morris—an aviation pioneer, mentor, educator, and giant whose influence reshaped access, opportunity, and excellence in aerospace for more than half a century.

A Hall of Famer with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), Les Morris passed away peacefully at home, leaving behind a legacy that continues to soar through the lives of countless aviators across generations.

Les Morris devoted his life to a simple yet powerful belief: exposure to aviation can change a life. Long before diversity, equity, and inclusion became industry-wide initiatives, he was already doing the work—introducing young people to flight, holding them to uncompromising professional standards, and walking beside them long after their first
lesson. He believed aviation was not an exclusive club, but a calling that should be accessible to anyone willing to commit to excellence.

A Trailblazer in Commercial Aviation

Les Morris was a historic barrier-breaker whose professional career helped redefine what was possible. He made history as the first Black pilot at Eastern Air Lines, opening doors at a major U.S. carrier during a time when opportunities for pilots of color were exceedingly rare. His presence on the flight deck was not symbolic—it was earned through discipline, mastery, and professionalism.

His airline career also included flying for Pan American World Airways, where he further distinguished himself during the golden era of commercial aviation. Following his airline service, Les continued shaping the industry through his work at FlightSafety International, where he trained and mentored pilots from around the world well into his 80s.

Across every chapter of his career, Les Morris exemplified precision, safety, and integrity.

A Founding Force for Community

Beyond the cockpit, Les Morris understood the importance of community. He was one of the founding fathers of the Black Pilots of America (BPA), helping establish a national organization dedicated to advocacy, mentorship, and professional development for Black aviators. His leadership helped create a support system that continues to uplift pilots and aerospace professionals nationwide.

A Visionary Mentor and Educator
Les Morris changed the lives of countless aviators from all walks of life. His mentorship reached students taking their first discovery flights, young pilots searching for direction, and seasoned professionals seeking guidance. Many OBAP members credit Les Morris with shaping their lives both personally and professionally. He was deeply invested in character
as much as competence, teaching accountability, confidence, and pride alongside aeronautical skill.

The Les Morris Summer Flight Academy
At the heart of his legacy stands the Les Morris Summer Flight Academy, a groundbreaking program he led for more than 50 years. Through this academy, thousands of young people were introduced to aviation fundamentals, discipline, and responsibility. The program
became the blueprint for youth aviation education nationwide.
Due in large part to the success and longevity of the Les Morris Summer Flight Academy, OBAP expanded his vision into what is now the annual Solo Flight Academy. This flagship program allows students to experience one of aviation’s most powerful milestones—their first solo flight—and embodies Les Morris’s belief that early, meaningful exposure to viation can alter the trajectory of a young person’s life.

A Life in the Cockpit: Aircraft Flown
Over the course of his distinguished career, Les Morris flew an extraordinary range of aircraft spanning training, military, and commercial aviation, including:

Piper J-3 Cub
Cessna 120
Cessna 140
Cessna 150 and 152
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Piper PA-28 Cherokee series
Piper Arrow
Beechcraft Bonanza
Piper Apache
Piper Seneca
Beechcraft Baron
North American F-86 Sabre
Lockheed T-33
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
Douglas DC-9
Boeing 727
Boeing 757
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Learjet 60

To Les, aircraft were never symbols of prestige. They were tools for teaching responsibility, precision, and respect for aviation safety.

Honors and Lasting Recognition
Les Morris’s contributions to aviation education and history are preserved by the Smithsonian Institution, ensuring that future generations understand the significance of his work. He was also honored as an FAA Master Pilot, one of the highest distinctions recognizing sustained excellence, professionalism, and safety over a lifetime of flying.

His induction into the OBAP Hall of Fame affirmed what the aviation community already knew: Les Morris lived the mission of OBAP in action.

A Grateful Community and Enduring Legacy
OBAP is profoundly thankful for Les Morris and the immeasurable impact he made on the aviation community. His leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to opening doors for others strengthened not only OBAP, but the aviation industry as a whole.

Les Morris will be deeply missed, but his influence remains unmistakably present—in every OBAP academy, every youth solo, and every mentor who carries his philosophy forward. His wings may now be at rest, but through the lives he lifted, inspired, and empowered, his legacy will remain airborne for generations to come.