1892-1926 |
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Bettmann Archive You will find a nice little biography on this site. |
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Some are very brief, others a bit more detailed, many with photographs. A good place to start is the "Bessie Coleman Site, by clicking on: |
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at the Ecole d'Aviation des Freres Caudron "Bessie departed for France in November of 1919. She completed in seven months, a ten month course at the Ecole d'Aviation des Freres Caudron at Le Crotoy in the Somme. Learning to fly in a French Nieuport Type 82, Bessie's schooling included "tail spins, banking and looping the loop." She received her license from the renowned Federation Aeronautique Internationale(FAI) on June 15, 1921." If you are not already familiar with Bessie's whole story, I heartily recommend that you visit her site by clicking on the title above. |
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African Americans in Aviation by Jim Hastings "African-American folklore is rich in stories and songs about people flying. But in the early days of American aviation, racism forced blacks to go to Europe to earn their wings. Such pioneers included Eugene Bullard, who joined the French Foreign Legion in 1914 and was awarded the highest honor given by the French military. In 1921 in France, daredevil Bessie Coleman was the first black American woman licensed as a pilot." |
America's First Black Aviators by Philip S. Hart "...One group of aviators wasn't so well received during the ealry days of aviation. Black Americans who flew airplanes, and those who wanted to learn, faced segregation and racial discrimination. Many airports were off-limits to black pilots. And neither the United States military nor private aviation schools would train blacks to fly. In Flying Free, you'll learn how black pilots of the 1920s and 1930s overcame obstacles. Black aviators started their own flight schools, put on air shows, flew cross-country, and persuaded the military to train black soldiers for aviation combat." |
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City of Flight by Jim and Wynette Edwards CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Since the late 1800s, Chicago has been a mecca for aviation. Chicago's Octave Chanute kept the skies filled with revolutionary gliders and his expertise in aeronautics contributed to the Wright Brothers' success. Chicago: City of Flight tells the story of aviation in the city with exciting chapters on early "birdmen," the birth of Chicago as a major airmail center, the spectacular chills and thrills of international airport and airplane manufacturers, and airlines, such as United Airlines, that were born in the city. Later topics include the citys modern aerospace industry and an exclusive look at Chicago's Wright Redux project, members of which designed and manufactured a replica Wright flyer. They plan to fly it over the city on December 17, 2003, in celebration of 100 years of manned, powered flight. PUBLISHED BY ARCADIA AN IMPRINT OF TEMPUS PUBLISHING, INC. |
Aviators Image courtesy of Richard W. Jackson |
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Courtesy of Steven Smith |
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Thanks for the link to our Bessie Coleman site, Ralph... I am one of the site administrators for AtlantaTexas Bessie's home town and BessieColeman I receive copies of the communication sent to the webmaster. This week is a special week for us here in Atlanta as we are having a ribbon cutting on our recently renovated depot and downtown area. Most of the downtown look as far as the streetscape is returning to the early 1900's style. We are also unveiling our recently received Bessie Coleman Historical Plaque. Have a Great Day, Steven Smith |
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Photo Courtesy of Martin Hauk Editor's Note: You will find the above, and several other photographs of Bessie, as well as a nice biography by Warrick L. Barrett, on this interesting site. To visit the site, just click on "Bessie". While you are there, I think you will enjoy visiting other entries. |
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Editor's Note: If you have any information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
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