The Fort Worth Aviation Museum will present Wings Awards to two Texas aviation pioneers, Bessie Coleman and Dave Palmer, on Saturday as part of National Aviation Day celebrations.
Aviation Pioneers
Bessie Coleman, born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1892, was the first African American and first Native American woman to hold a pilot’s license. She earned her international aviation license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in 1921. Coleman, known as “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie,” thrilled crowds with barnstorming and aerial stunts, and used her platform to encourage people of color to fly.
Dave Palmer, one of the original General Dynamics F-16 test pilots, flew the Fighting Falcon extensively from the company’s Fort Worth plant and Edwards Air Force Base from 1977 to 1988. Palmer played a crucial role in refining the aircraft’s capabilities during its critical development years.
Wings Awards
The Wings Awards, presented annually since 2015, recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to North Texas’ aviation heritage. The 2026 awards will be presented at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
