Racism, Hatred of Aspiring Pilots or Just Plain Mean Spirits in California?

The Tuskegee Airmen are a group of aviation heroes that still inspire us today. They travel all around the world promoting selfless service and aviation. They are honored by top military officials and Ret Lt Col James Warren was even personally invited to President Obama's inaguration. Unfortunately, it appears that one California county may not feel about their efforts the way most of us do.

Colonel Warren has a scholarship program through which he allows aspiring pilots to fly his airplane for free. Sound like a good idea? I sure think so...in fact I've felt for some time that programs like this are the only effective way to promote aviation in our country. Unfortunately, as reported by Fox 40 News of Sacramento, the California county of Solano has suddenly decided that Colonel Warren's activities consititute a business and are trying to charge him for its operations.

I almost feel bad for being argumentative, but I can't believe Solano County is doing this. As one small example, I assert that the EAA's Young Eagles program has been engaged in the same type of activities as Colonel Warren for years. Young Eagles is a favorite program of such notable people as Harrison Ford and "Sully" Sullenberger. As far as I know, the Young Eagle's program isn't regarded as a business or charged as such. This is in spite of the fact that many Young Eagles volunteer pilots have given dozens of airplane rides to aspiring pilots.

So, how is Colonel Warren's program different? He has actually filed a lawsuit against Solano County suggesting that their attitude is based on racism. He certainly isn't a stranger to that situation and if anyone knows it when they see it, he'd be the one. I hope that our country is beyond that, but I don't discount the possiblity. I wonder if Solano County just hates the idea of inspiring young people to pursue their dreams...in aviation or otherwise. I hope that neither is the case. I hope it's just a case of an uninformed and overzealous government official misunderstanding something most of us find obvious.

We'll let you know if we hear of any developments. In the meantime, what do you think? Is Colonel Warren's program a business? Should he pay for the right to fly our youngsters? Is Solano County racist, mean, or just mistaken?