Aviation Appreciation Friday! - Bessie Coleman 🛩️
Bessie Coleman was the first African American Woman Pilot. Born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, she grew up in a large family with twelve siblings. Despite the challenges of her upbringing, Coleman displayed a strong sense of determination from a young age. She initially moved to Chicago, where she worked as a manicurist and later found inspiration in the stories of World War I pilots returning home. This sparked her dream of learning to fly, but U.S. flight schools denied her entry.
Undeterred, Coleman set her sights on Europe. She learned French from the Berlitz Language School in Chicago, and was later accepted into the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France, one of the top aviation schools in the world at the time. There, she learned advanced flying techniques, including spins, loops, and precision maneuvers. After seven months of training, she earned her international pilot’s license on June 15, 1921, from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, making her the first American to achieve this feat.
Photo Credit: whizzpast.com
Upon returning to the U.S., Coleman became a sought-after stunt pilot, performing daring aerial displays at airshows across the country. She wowed crowds with her barnstorming, which involved intricate aerial stunts like figure eights and loop-the-loops. Her skill in the air earned her the nickname "Queen Bess," and she became a popular figure at aviation exhibitions, drawing large audiences.
Coleman was more than just a performer; she had a larger vision for the future of aviation. She hoped to establish a flight school to train future generations of pilots. In addition to performing at airshows, she traveled extensively, delivering speeches and advocating for aviation education across the US. Her goal was to inspire others to follow in her footsteps and pursue careers in flying.
Photo Credit: wikipedia.org
Sadly, Coleman’s career was cut short on April 30, 1926, in Jacksonville, Florida. She died in a tragic plane accident during a test flight. The mechanic piloting the plane lost control, causing Coleman, who was not wearing a seatbelt, to fall from the aircraft. Her death at the age of 34 was a great loss to the aviation community.
Although she did not live to see her dream of establishing a flight school, Coleman’s legacy endures. She paved the way for many future aviators and has been commemorated with numerous awards and honors, including the establishment of the Bessie Coleman Aero Club in 1929 and the issuance of U.S. postage stamps in her name in 1995. Today, she remains an inspiring figure for her groundbreaking contributions to aviation and her unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia Britannica - Bessie Coleman