Neal Vernon Loving

Neal Vernon Loving (1916–1998) was an American racing pilot. He is the first African-American and the first double amputee to be licensed as a racing pilot. He was also known for his work as an inventor and aeronautical engineer.

Early life Loving was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 4, 1916. His father, Harding Clay Loving, was the first black optometrist in Michigan. and Detroit's Cass Aero Club because of his race. He was the first black teacher at the school, which had an all-white student body at the time. Like Loving, Taylor had another full-time job, so progress was slow.

Loving and Taylor opened the Wayne School of Aeronautics in 1947. In 1949, he began building a midget-class racer called Loving's Love. and could reach speeds of 215–255 miles per hour.

In either 1953 or 1954,

In 1955, Loving enrolled in Wayne State University as an aeronautical engineering major. Loving continued to fly for nine years after his retirement, until heart problems caused his license to be revoked. Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame