Published Aerospace Power Journal - Winter 2000

Soaring above Setbacks: The Autobiography of Janet Harmon Bragg, African American Aviator as told to Marjorie M. Kriz. Smithsonian Institution Press (http://www.si.edu/sipress), 470 L’Enfant Plaza, Suite 7100, Washington, D.C. 20560, 1996, 120 pages, $12.95.

In 1934 Janet Harmon Bragg became the first African-American woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license. Her autobiography, Soaring above Setbacks, describes more than her accomplishments as an aviator, however. It tells of one woman’s efforts to launch an African-American flying program and to raise social awareness of Black aviation. Aptly titled, this book, which is part of the Smithsonian History of Aviation Series, contributes to the understanding of the social environment facing a pilot who overcame discrimination as both an African-American and a woman.

Segregation is perhaps one of the greatest setbacks Bragg surmounted in her flying career. For example, African-Americans were generally banned from airports that served white flyers. Having formed the Challenger Aero Club, consisting of Bragg’s instructors and classmates from an all-Black flying school, the members realized they would have to build their own airport on the outskirts of Chicago if they wanted to fly. Fueled by a vision to launch an African-American flying program, the members flattened coal cinders for a runway and built a hangar from scrap wood. Bragg bought a 2,100 lb red biplane with a Curtiss OX-S 90-horsepower engine for $500. As they flew around the United States encouraging fellow African-Americans to start an aviation career, the club took off—literally and figuratively—from its modest beginnings at this ramshackle airport.

What other forms of discrimination did Bragg face as an aviator? She was refused admission into the Women’s Auxiliary Service Pilots because she was Black. Along with other African-American aviators, she was denied entrance into the Civilian Pilot Training Program, a government training course that offered advanced flying degrees and certificates for civilians in 1939. Furthermore, a check pilot once failed her after she had successfully met the requirements, stating that “she gave me a good flight. I will put her up against any of your flight instructors. But I’ve never given a colored girl a commercial license, and I don’t intend to now” (p. 51).

Soaring above Setbacks is not a litany of complaints against discrimination; it is the story of one life told in a colloquial, conversational manner. Although the text is easy to read, the style lacks sophistication in places, marring the autobiography considerably.

If readers can overlook dialogue framed by “he said/she said” bookends and a chronological retelling that occasionally limps along, they will discover a woman who is assertive and independent. Soaring above Setbacks offers a glimpse into Bragg’s character: she matures into a community-oriented individual who is proud of her heritage and interested in creating opportunities in aviation for others like her. In addition, the book provides insight into the social environment in which African-American and female aviators operated. If you want to be inspired by one pilot’s life story, read Janet Harmon Bragg’s book.

Maj Rosemary A. King, USAF
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.

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