In the world of aviation, not too many folks still maintain their pilot license into their 80s, much less continue to enjoy regularly flying their own aircraft. At 83, James Brown of Pine Bluff is one of those unusual cases.
Ken Johnson, Local Aviation Commission chairman and member of the Arkansas Thunderbirds chapter of Black Pilots of America, said of Brown: “James is a genuine and unique person because he is in his 80s and still flying his Cessna 150. I only hope I can be alive and still enjoying aviation at that age. He is a longtime member of Black Pilots of America and got his pilot’s license in his 60s twenty-odd years ago.
“Brown is active around the airport and a strong supporter of Grider Field.”
Brown, who was born in Jefferson County on Jan. 8, 1941, did eight years in the U.S. Air Force as a cargo loader aboard C-124s, C-130s, C-135s and every other type of cargo aircraft in the Air Force. During his first stint in the military, he spent four years at Travis Air Force Base in California. He got out in 1966 and returned to Pine Bluff. Unable to find employment, he re-enlisted in March 1967.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
His second tour took him to the Philippines for two years before doing a year in Vietnam and finally a year at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City.
Following his discharge from the Air Force, he went to work for the Cotton Belt Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. After 18 years working on the railroad, he quit to buy an 18-wheeler and started truck driving for the next decade.
When the Cotton Belt was acquired by Union Pacific, supervisors with the company convinced him to come back to the railroad where he eventually retired with 29 years of service.
He described his path to becoming a pilot: “I started working toward getting my pilot’s license back in my 60s. John Alexander was my instructor and I was his student for a long time, probably six or seven years.”
Commercial fliers such as ag-pilots operating crop dusters are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to pass physical exams every two years performed by an actual flight surgeon. Brown explained how as the holder of a “private” pilot license, FAA rules are more relaxed. He is only required to pass a physical examination performed by a regular doctor once every four years. In addition, he must take a written proficiency exam every other year to maintain flight status.
Referring to his friends and associates at Pine Bluff Regional Airport/Grider Field, Brown said, “They are great people who know their business and stay on top of it. (Airport manager) Doug Hale is in charge out there and he is a top-notch guy.”
Hale returned the compliment, saying: “James is a great guy, a good friend and a good pilot. He enjoys hanging out at the airport. When he came to me 20 years ago saying he thought he was too old to take up flying, I told him, ‘No, you’re not.’ I said pilots of a mature age make the best students because they listen closely to their instructor. They understand machinery and they pay attention to details. He had the same instructor I did, John Alexander. James owns a 1972 Cessna 150, which is the perfect size aircraft for him. He enjoys going up and making turns around the area on a pretty regular basis.”
Hale shared his favorite story about Brown recalling another pilot. Rocky Thornburg is a commercial pilot who conducts aerial waterfowl surveys for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in his 1964 Cessna 210A. He additionally operates a Thrush dual cockpit crop duster doing agricultural work for farmers in the region.
“James had wanted to go up with Rocky in his ag plane for a long time, but they could never seem to get together,” Hale said. “He was at the airport one day while another ag pilot was crop dusting out of here in his Thrush two-seater just like the one Rocky flies. I asked James if he’d like to go up with him and he said yes.” Hale took Brown down the runway to where the pilot was refilling his chemical tanks for another run.
Hale laughed as he said: “I introduced them saying, ‘James Brown, this is your pilot, Willie Nelson.’ James rode several loads with Willie and they both really enjoyed the experience.”
Asked if his wife Florean flies with him, Brown said, “She has only been up twice in 20 years. She prefers to keep her feet on the ground.”
Brown went on to say: “Right now I’m waiting on my aircraft mechanic from Dumas to conduct the annual maintenance inspection on my plane to keep in compliance.” FAA rules require all aircraft to undergo yearly inspection of the engine, avionics and flight controls. The mechanic notes everything he does to the aircraft in its accompanying logbook. The log contains every detail of every action performed on the plane from the time it was new.
In conclusion Brown said, “I look forward to getting back in the air soon. I love flying and guess I always will.”