Charles Alfred "Chief" Anderson was a native of Pennsylvania who spent all of his adult life in Alabama. He was a lifelong pioneer of aviation opportunities for black Americans. His flying career began in 1928 when he taught himself to fly by trial and error. After facing enormous resistance from the established flying community, he received his private license in 1929. In 1932, he became the first black to hold an air transport license. In 1940, he started the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) at Tuskegee Institute of Alabama. Anderson's CPTP and its military follow-on, which he also directed, were responsible for training pilots who became the famous Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. "Chief" Anderson is widely acclaimed as the father of Black Aviation.