Leslie A. Morris, a retired airline pilot, passed away unexpectedly at home on January 26, 2026. He was born on February 7, 1937, in Harlem Hospital, New York City, NY. He is survived by his Son, Michael, and daughter-in-law Sharese, four grandsons, three great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, whom he married in July 1958. They spent almost 60 years together.
He entered the service as a USAF/NY Air National Guard Aviation Cadet in 1957 and graduated in the top ten of his class as a 2nd Lt., as a single-engine, single-seat jet fighter pilot in 1958. He attended advanced Aerial Combat training flying the F-86 at Williams AFB, Arizona, and Advanced Instrument training at Ellington AFB, Houston, TX.
Upon returning to New York as a National Guard Pilot, Les became an Air Traffic Controller at the NY Center. Les spent 7 years at the NY Center, graduating from an Assistant Controller to a full Journeyman Radar Controller. Les also became the Crew Training Instructor.
In 1965, Les Morris was the first Afro-American hired by Eastern Airlines. He started as a Flight Engineer on the Constellation and eventually flew as Captain on the Boeing 757. During his career at Eastern, he flew various models of the DC-8, B-727, L-1011, and B-757. He accumulated more than 19,000 hours and also became a Flight Manager/Check Pilot, supervising and checking out flight crews.
Eastern Airlines employees went on strike in March 1989. Les moved on and became the Chief Pilot for the Pan Am Shuttle. His career ended in 1991 when Delta Airlines purchased the Pan Am Shuttle.
In July 1992, Les started a career as a part-time instructor with Flight Safety International. He spent more than 23 years at Flight Safety, serving as a Falcon 900 and Learjet 60 instructor. In January 2016, Les finally retired from professional flying. January 2016 marked 62 years since Les made his first flight at Zahn’s Airport in a Piper Cub in 1954.
Les joined Negro Airman International in 1969 and immediately assumed the job of Treasurer. In 1971, Les created the NAI Summer Flight Academy to train underrepresented students to become pilots. He served as Treasurer, Operations Officer, and President.
In 1997, Les, with five other NAI members, created the Black Pilots of America. Les has served as President, Operations Officer, and Treasurer. In 2002, the Summer Flight Academy was renamed the BPA “Les Morris” Summer Flight Academy.
Les was cremated per his request, and a celebration of life will be held over the Memorial Day weekend during e Operation Skyhook by the BPA Organization.
Blue Skies and Tailwinds.
