All Stories

Thirty years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act came into effect. This important civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. Forty-six years earlier, without the protection of law and its accommodations, Alverna Babbs, who had lost both legs as a child, fought to receive a waiver for her student license. When she succeeded, she became the first American pilot with disabilities to earn a pilot’s license.

National Air and Space Museum fellow Caroline Johnson remembers the pioneering life of Emily Howell Warner.

Curator Jeremy Kinney explores the contribution of Royal Air Force leader Desmond Cooke to the improvement of Supermarine Spitfires prior to the Battle of Britain.

Curator Laurence Burke looks back on the extensive career of Navy pilot Edward L. “Whitey” Feightner

During World War II, airlines worked closely with the military to further the war effort by transporting people and materiel. Bob van der Linden, curator of air transportation, discusses Air Transport Command.

Curator Russell Lee shares the story of aircraft designer Neal V. Loving.

Today we’re talking about Sully, the movie based on the real-life emergency water landing of US Airways flight 1549 which ditched in the Hudson River in January 2009. 

Aeronautics curator Dorothy Cochrane explores the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and their fight for recognition for their contributions to World War II.

Curator Russell Lee explores a lesser-known form of World War II aviation: the fighting glider.

For the 75th anniversary of VE Day, curator Christopher Moore shares the story of the last American World War II aerial victory in Europe.