“David E. Harris, trailblazing airline Pilot, Is Dead at 89,” (Obit here), reports Jay Nordlinger in NRO.

“In 1964, at the height of the civil rights movement, (Harris) became the first Black pilot for a major commercial airline in the United States.”

Harris, who had been turned down by airline after airline, finally had an interview with American Airlines — whose chief pilot said this:

“Young pilot, this is American Airlines. We don’t care if you’re black, white, or chartreuse. We only want to know this: Can you fly the plane the right way?”

According to the NYT:

American Airlines hired Mr. Harris in 1964, and he flew for the carrier for 30 years, rising to captain in 1967. In 1984, he made history for the second time with American when he flew with the first all-Black cockpit crew on a commercial airliner.

David E. Harris, first Black pilot for a major U.S. carrier, dies at 89 https://t.co/KhEI3szTD0

— Samuel Oakford (@samueloakford) March 13, 2024