Bessie Coleman: Pioneering Aviator

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Why did Bessie Coleman return to Europe after obtaining her pilot's license?

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She returned to Europe to take an advanced course in aviation so she could compete as a stunt flier in front of a paying audience.

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Who was Anthony Fokker, and why did Bessie Coleman meet him?

Back

Anthony Fokker was one of the world’s top aircraft designers. Coleman met him in the Netherlands to receive additional training from one of the Fokker Corporation's top pilots.

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What impact did Coleman's return to the U.S. have on her career?

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Her return caused a media sensation and catapulted her to stardom as one of the country’s top stunt pilots.

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What nickname was Bessie Coleman given, and what type of airplane did she fly for her stunt shows?

Back

She was known as 'Queen Bess' and flew the Curtiss JN-4 'Jenny' airplanes at stunt shows across the country.

Front

What was the significance of Coleman's first American airshow in February 1922?

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The show honored veterans of the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment of World War I. It was held at Curtiss Field on Long Island, New York, and billed Coleman as 'the world's greatest woman flier.'

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What daredevil maneuvers did Bessie Coleman perform to impress audiences in Chicago?

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She performed maneuvers like figure eights, loops, and near-ground dips.

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What was Bessie Coleman's ultimate dream, and was she able to accomplish it?

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Her greatest dream was to establish a school for young Black aviators in America. Unfortunately, she never realized this dream.

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Where was Coleman's Chicago performance held, and what is this location known as today?

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Her performance was held at the Checkerboard Airdrome, which is now known as Midway Airport.

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How did Bessie Coleman make history in her career as an aviator?

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She became one of the country's top stunt pilots and was the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license, inspiring future generations of Black aviators.