Advertisement for the Western Flying School of Aeronautics, owned by William Aikens. Atkins is shown in his aviator uniform. Also, there is a photo of a plane outside an airplane hangar. The airport located at 135th and Western Avenue was called the Western Avenue Airport from 1936 to 1939. William Aikens was a pilot during the 1920s, and 1930s. He was a member of the famous African American flying group "The Five Blackbirds." They were known for their airshows. Aikens also taught flying, and gave plane rides for a fee. Several times the money he obtained from air shows were donated to charity. Caption summary: The Western Flying school of Aeronautics / Western Avenue Airport ... 135th and Western Avenue / Mr. Aitkens is shown standing beside his Meteor High Wing Monoplane, powered with a 100 H.P. Kinner motor. Cruises at 110 MPH / Top speed, 135 MPH. / [...] 20 Women Wanted [...] / 3728 South San Pedro Street [...]
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b19_f29_002.tif ark:/21198/z19p4jrk
Subject
African American businesspeople African Americans in aeronautics Bellanca airplanes Flight schools Aikens, William
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