James Banning facts for kids

James Herman Banning was a brave pilot.

James Herman Banning (born November 5, 1900 – died February 5, 1933) was an American aviation pioneer. In 1932, James Banning, along with his mechanic Thomas C. Allen, made history. They became the first Black aviators to fly across the United States, from one coast to the other.

Becoming a Pilot

From a young age, James Banning dreamed of flying airplanes. It was not easy for him to learn, though. Many flight schools would not accept him because of racial discrimination. Despite these challenges, he eventually learned to fly from an army pilot.

Later, James became a pilot who performed exciting air shows on the West Coast. He flew a special biplane named "Miss Ames." This name was a nod to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he had studied.

The Amazing Flight

James Banning and his mechanic, Thomas Allen, made their famous flight in a plane built with extra parts. They called themselves the "Flying Hoboes." This was a friendly nickname because they often had to stop and earn money to continue their journey.

Their trip covered 3,300 miles, from Los Angeles to Long Island, New York. They spent 41 hours and 27 minutes in the air. However, the entire trip took 21 days to finish. This was because they had to land and find ways to pay for fuel and repairs before flying the next part of their route.

A Sad Ending

Only four months after his amazing cross-country flight, James Banning died in a plane crash. This happened during an air show at Camp Kearny military base in San Diego on February 5, 1933.

James was a passenger in a two-seater Travelaire biplane. Another pilot, Albert Burghardt, was flying the plane. James had not been allowed to fly that specific plane himself. After taking off and climbing about 400 feet, the plane suddenly stopped moving forward and spun out of control. Many people watched in horror. James Banning was pulled from the plane's wreckage. He died about an hour later at a nearby hospital.

His Lasting Legacy

James Banning is remembered as a very important person in aviation history. A large picture of him is displayed at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California. It is part of the "Soarin' Around the World" ride.

Underneath his photo, there is a plaque that tells about his achievements. This display is part of the "Wings of Fame" hallway. Here, guests waiting for the ride can see many photos and models of early planes. It also honors important people in aviation, like James Banning.