In honor of Black History Month, Aireon is highlighting the contributions of Black innovators and trailblazers in the aviation industry.
Bessie Coleman
First Licensed African American Woman Pilot
Born in Texas in January 1892, Bessie Coleman became the first African American woman to hold a pilot’s license.
In the early 1900s, women and black people were not permitted to learn how to fly airplanes in the United States. Determined to achieve her dreams, Bessie learned French and was eventually accepted into the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, earning her pilot’s license in 1921.
Bessie went on to embark on an exciting career in stunt flying, and she dreamed of establishing a school for young black aviators. Bessie used her popularity to advocate for the education and training of African Americans in aviation and her legacy continues to live on.
Cornelius Coffey
Founded first African American-owned flight school
Inspired by Bessie Coleman’s success in aviation as an African-American woman, Cornelius Coffey established the Coffey School of Aeronautics alongside his wife Willa Brown, the first African-American woman to earn a pilot’s license in the United States. From 1938 to 1945, the school went on to teach more than 1000 students, including future Tuskegee Airmen.
Coffey had always dreamed of flying but was denied admission into flight schools. Undeterred, he and mechanic John Robinson built a one-seat airplane and taught themselves to fly. After earning his pilot’s license, Coffey was still shunned from airstrips.
Lieutenant Willa Brown
First African American Woman to earn a pilot’s license in the U.S.
Inspired by Bessie Coleman’s legacy, Willa Beatrice Brown earned her pilot’s license in 1938 – becoming the first African American woman in the United States to do so.
Her and her husband, Cornelius Coffey, founded and ran the Coffey School of Aeronautics, teaching 1000s of future aviators, including future members of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Lieutenant Willa Brown would go on to become the first African-American woman to run for United States Congress, the first African American officer in the Civil Air Patrol, and the first woman in the United States to earn both a pilot’s license and an aircraft mechanic’s license.
Tuskegee Airmen
First Black Military Aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.
Prior to the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen, there had been no African American pilots in the United States military.
After more than two decades of advocacy, the ban was finally lifted and more than 14,000 black men were trained as pilots, bombardiers, control tower operators, instructors, aircraft mechanics, and support staff, eventually culminating in the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Eugene ‘Jacques’ Bullard
First African American Combat Aviator
Eugene Jacques Bullard enlisted in the French Foreign Legion after the start of World War I. After being wounded in battle, he best a friend that he could enlist in the French flying service, which he accomplished when he enlisted in the Aéronautique Militaire in November 1916. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre and Medaille Militaire.
He attempted to join the U.S. Air Service in 1917 but was rejected. The U.S. government also pressured France to ground him in order to uphold the U.S. policy against allowing African American pilots France acquiesced and removed Bullard from aviation duty.
After the start of World War II, he became involved in espionage and eventually enlisted as a machine gunner in the 51st Infantry Regiment, becoming wounded by an artillery shell.
In 1959, the French government bestowed upon him the title of Chevalier in the Legion of Honor, the highest-ranking order and decoration bestowed by France. In September 1994, Bullard was posthumously commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force.
James Banning
First African American to fly coast-to-coast
James Banning set off on his coast-to-coast journey in 1932 from Los Angeles, determined to win a $1,000 prize that was to be awarded to the first African American to achieve this feat.
Accompanied by Thomas C. Allen, the duo set off on the 3,300-mile journey from Los Angeles to New York in a two-seat biplane that was put together with surplus parts. They dubbed themselves “The Flying Hobos” due to their lack of funding, setting off with only $25 between the pair and planning to fundraise throughout their trip. The journey took 21 days, with 41 hours and 27 minutes spent in the air.
