Black Wings Premiering on Smithsonian Channel HD

Black Wings premieres on the Smithsonian Channel HD on January 14, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. (EST)

For early aviators, conquering the forces of gravity was a daunting challenge. But black aviators had an additional challenge - to conquer the forces of racism. Meet the men and women of color who took to the skies throughout the 20th Century and helped prove to a segregated nation that skin color didn't determine skill level. From biplanes to commercial jets and from barnstormers to war fighters, meet the path-breaking pilots who opened the skies for all.