Growing up as a child in Oklahoma City outside of Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.,Lt. Col. Rod Lewis developed a deeper love for aviation each time an aircraft flew over his house.

The fire burning inside him to become a pilot grew even hotter after his parents received an extra set of encyclopedias with their initial purchase that contained detailed science and technology experiments.

Lewis immediately took to the encyclopedias, set on building his own airplane in his backyard.

"I still have those books," said Lewis, who's now the commander of the 4th Airlift Squadron, the sole operator of Air Mobility Command's Prime Nuclear Airlift Force.

Lewis will speak about his Air Force career Saturday as part of a five-person panel at the Museum of Flight's Black History Month commemoration.

The program starts at 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater, and is free with museum admission.

Joining Lewis on the panel is Alaska Airlines pilot Capt. Mike Swanigan, a Kenmore resident who currently flies 737s for the airline; Seattle resident and Alaska Airline pilot Mike Hendrix; Lt. Col. Kimberly Scott, an Alaska Airlines pilot and reservist with the 728th Airlift Squadron; and Maj. Gen. Harold "Mitch" Mitchell, an Alaska Airlines and Air Force pilot who is now assigned to the Pentagon.

The moderator for the panel, retired Lt. Col. Bill Holloman III, flew P-51s with the 332nd Fighter Group in World War II - the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He continued flying during the Korean War and Vietnam, and he was the first black helicopter pilot in the Air Force.

"It's pretty humbling for me to be able to do this," said Lewis, who earned his commission in 1991 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. "It's really about me just having an opportunity to impact an individual who's interested in becoming a pilot."

After Lewis' parents discovered his love of aviation, they helped him stay on the path to becoming a pilot.

"They pushed me along in school and made sure I did all the right things," he said.

Lewis hopes speaking about his Air Force career and his experiences growing up and attending the academy can perhaps inspire some attendees.

"My story is the Air Force story first, and I enjoy talking to folks and letting them know that we are out there serving our country," said Lewis, who has logged more than 3,400 flying hours. "My personal story is also something I don't mind sharing, in that if you have a dream you just have to focus on doing all of the things you're supposed to be doing."

Panelists will be available for autographs following the presentation. Books about African American pilots and astronauts, as well as other memorabilia, will be available for purchase in the museum store.