When Cason Brinkley, 16, soloed for the first time, he made history, becoming the youngest African American to solo an airplane in Mississippi.
Cason, who plans to earn his private pilot ticket before graduating high school, soloed July 15, 2024, at Panola County Airport (KPMU) under the guidance of his CFI Ken Taylor, owner of New Heights Aviation. Taylor is a retired Army helicopter pilot and has two sons who are helicopter pilots in the Army stationed in California.
Taylor, who is also the president of the Arkansas Thunderbirds Chapter of the Black Pilots of America (BPA) and works as an air evac helicopter pilot covering Central and North Mississippi, took the lead over Cason’s flight training after the teen attended a trip with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals to the Navy Flight Academy in Pensacola, Florida, and upon his return from the Black Pilots of America Summer Flight Academy in Houston, last summer.
According to Cason’s father, Carl, his son soloed with 15 hours of flight training.
Cason, a Cleveland Central High School 11th grader, also attended the Saint Louis University Aviation Summer Academy in June 2024, where students entering grades 11 and 12 were invited to learn more about different areas of study and career paths in aviation. The program selected 20 students out of more than 100 applicants for the six-day, five-night residential camp.
Next summer, Cason says he hopes to attend a new summer aviation camp and attend the Air Force Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to explore the many aviation education and career paths available to him.
On Aug. 15, 2024, Cason was recognized by the Mississippi State Board of Education, at its monthly meeting for achieving his airplane solo goal.
Cason is the son of Carl Brinkley, a retired aviation and logistics instructor from Delta State University, and Markeita Brinkley, a special education director for Cleveland Public Schools. Cason’s goal is to become a commercial pilot one day.
Very proud of you pray always to continue in this journey
Congratulations! What a great achievement
Good luck to this wonderful aviator.
Cason: You have accomplished an achievement duplicated by VERY few. This can help you forge a career path or commence a lifetime love of aviation.
Having worked my way through advanced pilot certifications. I can say without hesitation every new level will come with a sense of satisfaction experienced by only a few. Congrats and best wishes.
Don Windle
AWESOME!
Congratulations Cason. What an exciting experience to make history. So proud of you. I’m from Cleveland and went to Delta State. I’m an HR consultant for pilots. This is a wonderful accomplishment to list on your resume. 😊
So very HAPPY to see this news! I graduated from SLU in 1966, live in Gulfport, Ms.
Congratulations Cason! You’re a great example of the benefits of the opportunities offered by the Black Pilots of America and OBAP. Keep soaring young man.
Congratulations to Cason! Keep up the good work. May God bless your future endeavors!
Yes I am very proud American citizen seeing these youth sore high in the sky because of a technology that is growing by the day. I’ve been a teacher I love it when I see that my hard work paid off and made a difference in some youngsters life. Thanks to God for blessing our country the people in our country and the ones that care about the safety and it’s entire meaning it’s so the younger generation has something better to look forward to.
Yes young man. The Lord is Good! All of the time. Without a doubt. Keep your head always high, for this is where the Lord reins. Bless you Cason. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Congratulations Cason! Go go go! Impressive. Kind of funny feeling walking with a big hole in the back of your shirt isn’t it! We’re all here for you, keep up the good work. Dave Private Pilot Florida.
People think that 16 is almost grown up. Actually your 16th birthday is only one day older than a 15 year old. This makes your first solo all the more memorable.
Congratulations!
Thomas Hesselgrave
SWEEEEET!!! You can have only ONE First Solo, and that is a feeling that will never leave you. From hereon the sky’s limit is in your hands. I am a pilot, a woman, 81 years of age, with wonderful memories that I do relive with a smile on my face and in my heart. You will build your own treasure trove of these memories on your own. Congratulations !!
Congratulations Carson I live in Chicago, I’m a native of Mississippi born in Prentiss Ms still have lots of relatives in Mississippi, Congratulations again keep up the good work.
WOW What an acheivement.
congratulations.Carsons
Keep going .Sky is not the limit
God bless you.
Congratulations to Cason and his family! Continue to SOAR high in all of your endeavors!
So proud of you Cason. Thankful for your dad, Mr Carl and for Mr Taylor and his stellar career. 🛩️✈️
Cason is an all around gifted young man. He plays drums and sings in the Mt. Hebron Choir in Rosedale, Ms. He is certainly a tribute and example for young men everywhere. All things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. Be encouraged
What an awesome pioneer in aviation! Keep up the amazing work, I am thrilled to read such aspiration of a young black student, May God’s grace and mercy keep you in all your endeavors,
Well said & I agree wholeheartedly! Way to go Pilot Cason. May you always have lift in your wings to carry you far in Life. God Bless
Congratulations , much enjoyed article.
Very proud !!
Great job Carson! Encourage your friends to follow in your footsteps- we need so many more.
Kurt Barnhart, Professor of Aviation, Kansas State University
Congratulations young fellow, love to see positive lives for our black men… JOB WELL DONE… blessing to you life…
An awesome job Cason of not only flying but planning for your future. My first solo was in West Memphis, AR, not far from yours. Congratulations.
Happy to hear when ANY teenager is on the right path. Good Luck in you future endeavors!
I soloed at 16 y/o back in 1975 in a C150 and earned my single engine land certificate the following year at age 17.
Way to go, Cason! Soloing is a accomplishment that will carry you far in life.
Great job Carson and congratulations to you,you can do great things once you put your mind and heart to it.Again great
Congratulations to you Cason Brinkley, for your achievement of your solo flight with 15 hours of flight time. Seems like you have a great skill for flying airplanes. Keep up the good work and you can go as far as you want in aviation when you put your heart and mind into it. I wish you the best on becoming a commercial pilot!!!
So pride of this young man, for his teacher, and to his parents, a great role model with a bright future ahead of him , a strong and positive leader for his peers…
Congratulations young man! So very proud of you.
Keep flying. Safe is fast. And high.
Go all the way young man you can do it. Never give up . Keep God first
Very interesting I would like to earn my pilot license
Way to go Cason! You are awesome!! Keep making your parents and your community proud!! 👏😍
I am a black commercial pilot out of Brooksville ms. congratulations to a hard working Mr. Cason don’t give up and go all the way to ATP. Thanks to your Flight instructor Ken for the great work 👍
I am proud of anyone’s accomplishments, I just hate anything black and white.
I lived in the forties, fifties, sixties, etc. Before the civil rights act, it was just as bad here in Mississippi as has been told, but that has changed. Now all can do whatever they want as long as they are willing to work, and reach for the stars.
I bless all and hope one day we are equal in all minds. The differences now are heart issues and can only be changed when our hearts get right with the Lord. Blessings on all you seek to do.
Every one is so proud of this young man keep going I Hava a niece in aviation air craft machine ❤️
Hi, my name is Louis Sherrod. I’m a retired Navy Air Traffic Controller who grew up in the Navy in aviation. Made many of flights with my friends in Cessna 172’s.
My kids are successful so I appreciate and understand the beaming, smiles and pride that’s coming from your parents.
I am very proud of your accomplishments and will share this with my family.
Congratulations and much success in all you do.
Congratulations to Cason. I know the exhilaration he must feel.
I soloed (also in a Piper) the very day I turned 16. It was April 22, 1972. Quite a long time ago, now retired from a very long career in aviation, but I remember the excitement of that day.
Keep up the good work Cason,!
Congratulations, Young Man.
My cousin Cameron Jimerson (age 16) of Biloxi, MS flew a Solo flight in July 2024.
Good job, young man and I wish you the best
Congratulations! What a great accomplishment! Keep up the good work! This will open many doors for you!
God is good!
Lisa
Utica MS
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