This collection contains pilot's licenses issued in the early 20th century. It includes licenses from various nations such as Canada, France, Italy, and the United States.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of a variety of different types of pilots' licenses issued by civilian, government, and military organizations dating from 1911 to 1948. Licenses certified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) form most of the licenses issued by private organizations. Four founding clubs of FAI - Aero Club D'Italia, the Aero Club of America, the Aéro-Club de France, and the Royal Aero Club - are featured. The United States Navy, US Army Air Corps, and one item from the Canadian Air Force represent the military licenses in the collection. Licenses issued by the United State Department of Commerce form a large portion of licenses issued by governments.
Other forms of personal identification were discovered with many of the pilots' licenses in this collection. Examples of these items include a driver's license, a firearms license, aviation membership cards, and business cards.
Included in this collection are licenses belonging to Raymond Emmanuel Bollack, Laura Bromwell, John Milton Bryant, Frank T. Coffyn, Curtis La Q. Day, Richard Duncan, Lester D. Gardner, G. S. Gillespie, Paul R. Gruhler, Beckwith Havens, Frederick A. Hoover, George M. Keightley, Benjamin Scovill Kelsey, Alfred S. Koch, Lawrence Leon, Grover Loening, Cord Meyer, Zenos Ramsey Miller, Thomas DeWitt Milling, Charles L. Morris, Thea Rasche, Roland Rohlfs, D. deR. M. Scarrit, Walter J. Shaffer, Thomas E. Springer, Norman Sweetser, Alexander Blair Thaw II, Ralph H. Upson, Clifford L. Webster and E. A. Yeager. A blank license attributed to the Service de la Navigation Aérienne is also included.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged alphabetically by surname of the licensee.
Biographical / Historical:
Prior to 1926, pilots in the United States were not required to have any documentation or certification to operate an aircraft. To demonstrate ability and credibility, private organizations as well as military agencies issued their own licenses. These early licenses were available for different aircrafts across various disciplines and served to allow individuals to participate in aeronautic events endorsed by civil organizations.
A prominent international organization, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), supplied licenses to aviators around the world. Founded in 1905, FAI formed through the collaboration of aviation clubs from eight countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.
Pilots' licenses became a requirement after the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which promoted the improvement and maintenance of safety standards in air commerce. With a variety of different examples of pilots' licenses, the collection provides insight into the types of documentation issued to military and civilian pilots during the first half of the twentieth century.
Provenance:
Gifts and transfers from various sources and unknown, NASM.XXXX.0650.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) was created to advance the art and science of aviation and related subjects and the diffusion of knowledge thereof by educational means.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of records of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). The material includes documents on programs to heighten public awareness of aviation, such as the NAA newsletter and material on special events staged by NAA; material relating to the NAA's educational programs and clubs, such as college aviation clubs; material outlining NAA's active role in supporting and promoting competitive aeronautic events. The collection also includes Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) license cards, business records, minutes, and correspondence of the NAA and material on aviation awards supported or given by NAA such as the Wright and Collier Trophies.
There are also newspaper clippings, brochures, programs, reports, publications, magazines, certificates, books, ribbons, badges, maps, drawings and photos.
Note: The digital images in this finding aid were repurposed from scans made by an outside contractor for a commercial product and may show irregular cropping and orientation in addition to color variations resulting from damage to and deterioration of the original objects. Documents with personally identifiable information (PII) have not been digitized.
Arrangement:
Arranged into series and subseries. Placed in chronological order within each series and subseries with undated materials placed at the end.
Series 1: Licenses & Registration
1:1 License Records
1:2 Registration of Race Airplanes
1:3 Sporting Licenses Records
1:4 Timers & Timing Info
Series 2: Women's Races / Events
2:1 All-Women International
2:2 Skylady Derby
2:3 All-Woman Transcontinental
2:4 Misc. Races/Events
Series 3: Events, Races & Awards
3:1 Wright Trophy
3:2 Collier Trophy
3:3 Brewer Trophy
3:4 Elder Statesman of Aviation
3:5 Air & Balloon Races
3:6 Gliding & Soaring
3:7 Aeromodeling
3:8 Parachuting & Skydiving
3:9 Aerobatics
3:10 Misc. Events
Series 4: Attempted & Sanctioned Records
4:1 Record Application Materials
4:2 Administrative re: Records
Series 5: Administrative Records
5:1 Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
5: 2 National Aeronautic Association (NAA)
5:3 Chapters/Associations/Affiliates
5:4 Misc. Administrative Records
Series 6: Newsletters, Bulletins and Magazines of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) & National Aeronautic Association (NAA)
Series 7: Other Publications
Biographical / Historical:
The Aero Club of America, established in 1905, was reorganized in 1922 as the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). The NAA was created to advance the art and science of aviation and related subjects and the diffusion of knowledge thereof by educational means. The NAA has tried to meet this goal by keeping the public informed on the importance of aeronautics and space, by instituting space education programs to stimulate youth interest and by promoting and aiding competitive and sporting aeronautic events.
Provenance:
Jonathan Gaffney, gift, unknown date
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
NAA Annual Meeting - First General Session. Washington DC. Oct. 23, 1962; Folder 1 of 2
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 146, Folder 7
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Annual Meeting - Board of Directors Meeting. Washington DC. Oct. 23, 1962
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 146, Folder 9
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 146, Folder 10
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1962-1965
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Proposal to Seek Grant Funds for Preservation of NAA Files
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 146, Folder 11
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1962-1965
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 146, Folder 12
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1962-1966
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Contest Record Board - Correspondence, 1962-1971; Folder 1 of 2
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA - Summary of Recommendations of the "Blue Plan"
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1963
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Annual Meeting & Board Meeting - Transcript. Oklahoma City, OK. 22 Sept. 1963
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 5
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
William A. Ong, President - NAA; 1963-1964; 1964-1965; Folder 1 of 2
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 6
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 8
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Annual Meeting. Washington DC. Oct. 12, 1964; Folder 1 of 2
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 147, Folder 9
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Board of Directors Meeting. Washington DC. Oct. 21, 1965
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 148, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Annual Convention. Washington DC. Oct. 21-22, 1965
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 148, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Annual Meeting. Washington DC. Oct. 21-23, 1965
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 148, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA - Executive Committee Meeting. Washington DC. April 30, 1965
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 148, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Board of Directors Nominating Committee Meeting. July 11, 1966
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 148, Folder 5
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
NAA Annual Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting. Oct. 19-20, 1966; Folder 1 of 3
Collection Creator:
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.) Search this
Container:
Box 148, Folder 6
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Archives (1918-1976), Acc. XXXX-0209, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
