Presidents in Flight

George, Tom, Abe, Teddy, Bill, and Herbie--the "Racing Presidents" for the hometown Washington Nationals baseball team feature large-headed versions of past Commanders-in-Chief. Can you imagine what these presidents could accomplish as the "Flying Presidents"? The National Air and Space Museum Archives' collections feature documents and images of the United States presidents, as they relate to aviation and space flight, going back to the first man to hold the office.

1 - George Washington

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In 1784, Dr. John Foulke thought it must be nice to have Washington on his side, so he invited the General to a lecture on ballooning in Philadelphia. In a letter held by the Archives, Washington sent his regrets.  Washington’s response reads: “Genl. Washington presents his compliments to Doctr. Foulke — thanks him for his polite card and ticket — and would with great pleasure attend his Lecture on Pneumatics, but the business which brought him to the city does not leave him at Liberty, as the Members of the Cincinnati are anxious to bring it to a close Monday Morning.”

Later, as President, Washington not only viewed but also assisted with the first American ascent of the famous French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard on January 9, 1793 in Philadelphia.

16 - Abraham Lincoln

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The Archives holds a letter written by President Abraham Lincoln to Lt. General Winfield Scott, commander of Union forces, regarding a proposal to use Thaddeus S. C.Lowe's balloons for observation of enemy positions during the Civil War.  Lincoln writes: "Will Lieut. Gen. Scott please see Professor Lowe once more about his balloon? [signed] A. Lincoln. July 25, 1861."

26 - Theodore Roosevelt

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Theodore Roosevelt (left) was the first American president to fly in an airplane.  On October 11, 1910, the former president was at Kinloch Field, St. Louis, Missouri, campaigning for the state’s Republican party. Pilot Arch Hoxsey (right) asked him to fly in his Wright (Co) Type AB.  At first Roosevelt refused, but eventually accepted the flight, during which Hoxsey put the aircraft into three steep dives.

27 - William Howard Taft

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William Howard Taft (center) attended the July 1909 trials of what would be known as the Wright Military Flyer at Ft. Myer, Virginia.  He was accompanied in his car by Senator Jonathan Bourne Jr. (R-OR) and military aide Archie Butt (right), who would later die on the Titanic.

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President Taft (center) also met with the Wright brothers--Wilbur (left of center) and Orville Wright (right of center)--at the White House.  Sister Katharine Wright was to the right of Wilbur.

28 - Woodrow Wilson

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President Woodrow Wilson (left) presided over the opening ceremonies for the first regularly scheduled air mail service.  On May 15, 1918, he met with Major Reuben Fleet (right), who had organized and assembled the pilots and aircrafts for this service.

30 - Calvin Coolidge

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President Calvin Coolidge welcomed the crew members of the Douglas World Cruiser first flight around the world upon their arrival in Washington on September 9, 1924.  The crew successfully circumnavigated the globe in 175 days.  (left to right): Lt. Leslie Arnold; Lt. Lowell Smith; President Calvin Coolidge; Secretary of War John Wingate Weeks; Lt. John Harding; Lt. Odgen and Lt. Leigh Wade posed standing in front of the Douglas World Cruiser DWC-2 Chicago.

The Chicago is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum and Arnold’s diary and scrapbook are in the Archives collections.

31 - Herbert Hoover

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On April 22, 1931, President Herbert Hoover presented the 1930 Collier Trophy to HaroldPitcairn and associates for the development and application of the autogiro while standing on the lawn of the White House. Though not visible in the photograph, President Herbert Hoover, his wife, and grandchildren then witnessed the Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro taking off from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.

34 - Dwight D. Eisenhower

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower shown with scale model of Jupiter C Missile nose cone during speech given from the White House, November 7, 1957.

36 - Lyndon B. Johnson

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President Lyndon B. Johnson in a discussion with Air Force Colonel Daniel "Chappie”James.  In 1975, James became the first African-American to achieve the rank of four-star general.

37 - Richard M. Nixon

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President Richard M. Nixon greets Apollo 11 flight crew members Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., inside the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF), July 24, 1969.

38 - Gerald R. Ford

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President Gerald R. Ford and NASM Director Michael Collins attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of National Air and Space Museum (NASM) building in Washington DC, on July 1, 1976.

41 - George H.W. Bush

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In 1941, George H.W. Bush became the youngest aviator in the US Navy at the time.  He is pictured in the cockpit of his General Motors (Eastern) TBM Avenger during World War II.

Elizabeth C. Borja - Reference and Outreach Coordinator
National Air and Space Museum Archives