Taste of Aviation

05/22/2026

Before becoming Queen of Thailand, Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana had an aviation journey few people could imagine. She went from flight attendant to completing commercial pilot training in Thailand and Germany, earning certification to fly a Boeing 737. From cabin crew to cockpit to crown, her story feels almost cinematic.

05/22/2026

Kareem Abdul Jabbar once shared a hilarious aviation memory from a flight in Europe, where the crew invited him to sit in the cockpit jump seat during takeoff. The reason was pure comedy history: the pilots wanted to say they had officially flown with Roger Murdock, his famous co pilot character from the classic film Airplane.

05/22/2026

Before Willie Mays became a baseball legend, a Memphis aviator and businessman helped open the door.

Thomas Henry Hayes Jr. of Memphis was a pilot, airplane owner, entrepreneur, and owner of the historic Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. At a time when very few African Americans had access to aviation, Hayes was already taking to the skies in his own aircraft while building successful businesses on the ground.

Hayes made history when he signed a young Willie Mays to the Birmingham Black Barons and later sold his contract to the New York Giants organization — helping launch one of the greatest careers in baseball history.

His story is a powerful reminder that aviation pioneers came from every walk of life. Thomas Hayes Jr. represented vision, courage, and leadership long before opportunities were widely available. Memphis has always produced trailblazers who dared to think higher.

Taste of Aviation proudly honors Thomas Hayes Jr. — a pilot, baseball executive, and Memphis history maker whose legacy still inspires future generations to dream beyond boundaries.

For many years, the oldest Black-owned business in Memphis was T.H. Hayes & Sons Funeral Home. The business was owned and operated by the Hayes family, pictured here from left to right: Thomas Jr., Florence, Thomas Sr., and Taylor.

Thomas Sr. founded the funeral home on Poplar Avenue in 1902 before relocating it to South Lauderdale in 1918. His son, Thomas Jr., also owned the Birmingham Black Barons, a Negro League baseball team that once counted Willie Mays among its players. Today, the entire Hayes family rests at Elmwood Cemetery.

05/21/2026

Taste of Aviation is proud to recognize Allison Wilder as the recipient of the Taste of Aviation Sponsorship to attend the OBAP ACE Camp in Memphis on June 8–12!

Allison dreams of becoming a Pediatric Flight Nurse, combining compassion, medicine, and aviation to help children when they need it most.

At Taste of Aviation, we believe in creating opportunities that help young people discover their purpose and soar toward their dreams. We are honored to help give Allison the runway to explore aviation, leadership, and career possibilities through the incredible OBAP ACE Camp experience.

The sky is not the limit — it’s just the beginning! 🌟

Congratulations, Allison! We can’t wait to watch you fly!
OBAP - Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Memphis Blackhawks Thelma Rudd Thelma Rudd Wali Langford Zakiyyah Langford Dawud Langford Chiquita Mack

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05/19/2026

From runway to career pathway ✈️

Texas Southern University Aviation continues to soar with the addition of Delta Air Lines as the University’s fourth airline pilot pathway affiliation through the Delta Propel Pilot Career Path Program.

With premier airline partnerships, advanced flight training technology, and one of the nation’s most modern collegiate fleets, Texas Southern is preparing the next generation of industry-ready pilots and charting a course to become a top 10 aviation program by 2030.

Read the full announcement here: https://texassouthernnews.com/texas-southern-university-announces-pilot-pathway-partnership-with-delta-air-lines/

05/18/2026

05/18/2026

05/18/2026

Taste of Aviation Salutes Aviation Trailblazer Sarah McVay! ✈️💙
Sarah McVay began her FAA journey on May 16, 1983, as a CO-OP student from Alcorn State University at the Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center.
She went on to shatter barriers as the first Black female Operations Supervisor, Training Support Manager, Operations Manager, Staff Manager, and Air Traffic Manager at Memphis Center — and in 2017, became the first Black female Air Traffic Manager at Memphis Center and only the second in the nation to lead an enroute facility.
Beyond her titles, Sarah’s legacy is mentorship. Through her work with NBCFAE, Taste of Aviation, Tuskegee Airmen, OBAP, and the Memphis Blackhawks, she has opened doors for future aviation leaders.
✨ “My personal goal is to touch as many young people as possible and encourage each to recognize their worth and reach their fullest potential.” — Sarah McVay
Thank you, Sarah McVay, for reminding us to KEEP LOOKING UP!
OBAP - Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Black Pilots of America Memphis Blackhawks
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05/17/2026

Taste of Aviation Celebrates Scholarship Excellence!

Taste of Aviation, the Langford-Roberts Family, and the Christine Glass Family are excited and grateful to have awarded a total of $4,000 in scholarships to three outstanding students this week!

The Memphis East High School Valedictorian Scholarship was presented to Noah Parker by proud East High alumna and 1995 Valedictorian Zakiyyah Langford . Noah’s dedication, leadership, and academic excellence represent the very best of East High School.

The East High School Essay Contest Scholarship was awarded to Tracy Barrett and presented by East High alumnus and 2016 Honor Student Wali Langford. Tracy’s essay reflected creativity, thoughtfulness, and a strong sense of purpose for the future.

The Christine Glass Salutatorian Scholarship was presented by Patricia Glass Mitchell to Atlanta Carver High School Salutatorian Almrya Burden. The scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Christine Glass, the 1950 Carver High School Salutatorian, whose commitment to education and excellence continues to inspire future generations of students.

These scholarships are more than financial awards — they are investments in the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and changemakers. Seeing alumni and families return to pour back into students is a beautiful reminder that legacy and community matter.

Congratulations to Noah, Tracy, and Almrya! Keep reaching higher and continue making your families, schools, and communities proud.
Dawud Langford

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05/16/2026

05/14/2026

✈️🌟 KNOW A YOUNG AVIATION LEADER? 🌟✈️

The aviation industry is looking for its next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers!

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 recognition program — honoring outstanding aviation professionals who are helping move the industry forward through leadership, service, innovation, and dedication.

📌 Eligibility:
Nominees must be 39 years old or younger on November 1, 2026.

📅 Nomination Deadline:
August 7, 2026

This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize rising stars in aviation and aerospace — including those making an impact in airports, education, operations, leadership, STEM outreach, and community engagement.

Whether you nominate a colleague, mentor, teammate, or even yourself, let’s continue uplifting the future of aviation. ✈️

🔗 Submit nominations:
airb40under40.secure-platform.com

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