Lewis A. Jackson, Aviator / Lewis A. Jackson, Educator & Innovator

Lewis Albert Jackson (December 29, 1912-January 8, 1994) was an African American aviator remembered for training Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. As a teenager in Indiana, he began flight lessons and soloed in 1932, flying his own Waco 10. Jackson spent 1932-1937 barnstorming to save money for college while earning his Transport Pilot’s License. He re-rated to a Commercial License with Instructor Rating in 1939, and then completed advanced acrobatic training at Coffey School of Aeronautics. In late 1940, he was appointed Director of Training in the Army Air Force 66th Flight Training Detachment at Tuskegee Institute. After the war he moved to Ohio and served as an FAA Flight Examiner from 1947 to 1960. The Lewis A. Jackson Greene County Regional Airport was posthumously renamed to honor this true aviation pioneer.

[Side B]: Lewis A. Jackson, beyond his aviation achievements, was a dedicated educator and innovator. He earned degrees in Education from Marion College (B.S. 1939), Miami University (M.A. 1948), and The Ohio State University (Ph.D. 1950). Jackson initially taught in Indiana’s public schools and later held teaching and administrative posts at Central State University, Sinclair Community College, and The Ohio State University. While at Sinclair he fostered the business entrepreneur program. In 1956, Jackson built and flew the Versatile 1 in Xenia, his first experimental aircraft aimed at creating a “convertible” airplane-automobile that could be flown, driven, and stored in a residential garage. A founding member of the Greene County Regional Airport Authority, Jackson served on many regional and national educational and aviation boards throughout his lifetime of service.