COL Palmer Sullins, Jr. is a native of Tuskegee, AL born on the campus of Tuskegee Institute. At the age of nine, his dream of flying became a reality when he overheard Chief Charles Alfred Anderson telling someone about the need to teach youth to fly. Palmer suggested that he become his third son. In 1955 “Chief” Anderson, took him under his wing and began giving him flight instructions at Moton Field. They remained very close as “Best Friends” until Chief’s death in 1996. Sullins has amassed over 21,100 flying hours and holds Airline Transport Ratings (ATP) in airplanes, seaplanes and helicopters.

He is a 1968 grad of Tuskegee Institute and commissioned 2LT in the U.S. Army. He was Tuskegee Institute Head Swimming Coach, Physical Education Instructor and Special Teams Assistant Football Coach in 1968. He entered active duty 1969 and flew 300 Viet Nam combat support sorties and retired Colonel in 2001.

He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a 1995 Tuskegee University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. He was elected Chairman of Friends of Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Inc. located at Moton Field in 2009 of which he serves today.

He is past Treasurer of Black Pilots of America, Inc. and elected BPA President in 2005 to 2011. He is Past President and current of Treasurer of New Orleans Golden Eagles Chapter.

He earned bragging rights as BPA Skyhook “Top Gun” in 2012. in 2018, he was awarded the Wright Brothers Award, the highest FAA civilian recognition for 52 years of continuous safe flying operations and the Chief Anderson Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Tuskegee. He and his wife BPA member Esperanza own and actively fly his Piper Comanche 260B which he refers to as “Kappa Wings”.