FlyingTalkers By Geoffrey Arend

On King's Day USA; A Few Minutes With Bessie Coleman; Our Martin Changed Air Cargo


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In the U.S. on Monday January 18, our nation celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther KIng. MLK Monday comes along just as the nation is about to welcome a new President after many months of political acrimony and unrest, and with COVID-19 still the continued threat to lives everywhere. With a tip of our hat to Rev. King always, we continue FlyingTalkers groundbreaking series covering the courageous women of air cargo and aviation with a look back at pioneering aviatrix Bessie Coleman.

Next month America celebrates Black History Month, and March is Women’s History Month; It feels right today to celebrate  the life of a  beautiful human who is also as historically significant as Bessie Coleman.

To paraphrase musicologist Edward A. Ellington:

"If it feels good, it is good," said the Duke.


Our Martin Changed Air Cargo

If you want to learn about August Martin, the great air cargo pilot who flew for Seaboard World Airlines during the 1950’s, and was also the first black man to captain a U.S. flag air cargo airplane, you better plan on either using your old Funk & Wagnall’s Encyclopedia, or visiting the wonderful high school located near JFK International Airport in Queens, New York City named in honor of the air pioneer. Here is the rest of the story and why August needs to be honored by our industry.


 In America, February celebrates Black History Month and March celebrates Women’s History Month, which beggars the question of where to place someone as historically significant as Bessie Coleman. 

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FlyingTalkers By Geoffrey ArendBy Geoffrey Arend

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