I Wanted to be a Pilot: The Making of a Tuskegee Airman

Sometimes history is made by a dyslexic, mischievous boy who hates school, is a descendant of one of Frederick Douglass’ half-sisters, and whose Pops was a Buffalo Soldier.

In I Wanted to be a Pilot, one of the less than 100 living Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen, Franklin J. Macon, tells the lively stories of how he overcame life’s obstacles to become a Tuskegee Airman. Soar through history with Franklin as he conquers dyslexia, finds mischief, and grows up to change the course of America. Readers laugh at Frank’s childhood antics, while being reminded that disabilities like Frank’s dyslexia, repeating a grade in school, and other hardships can be overcome. I Wanted to be a Pilot encourages kids to recognize history, reach for their dreams, and even make their own toys as they are reminded of the great strength and determination of the men and women who came before them.

Franklin J. Macon, Documented Original Tuskegee Airman, is an active member and former President of the Hubert L. “Hooks” Jones Chapter Tuskegee Airmen. Frank has spent nearly a century in the world of aviation. As a dyslexic, an aircraft inspector, an airplane mechanic, a research analyst for Scott Science and Technology, and pilot, Frank is a sought-after speaker on the topics of Tuskegee, Black History, WWII, and dyslexia. Frank is a proud member of the Palmer (Colorado Springs Main High) High School Hall of Fame and has lived in Colorado Springs since 1923.

Elizabeth G. Harper is a Reading Interventionist for troubled and adjudicated K-12 students. Elizabeth received her English degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan and she earned her Masters in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix, Colorado Springs. As a proud Air Force spouse, Elizabeth educated in multiple states in the areas of middle school and high school English, receiving “Teacher of the Year”, and she taught K-12 ESL/ELL. She has spent over two years and hundreds of hours interviewing, videoing, and just “hanging out” to capture the legacy of Franklin J. Macon and currently resides in Colorado Springs.