Pioneering aviator honored in the centennial year of her final flight; original F-16 test pilot recognized for his role in Fort Worth’s greatest aviation success story
FORT WORTH, Texas — August 10, 2026 — The Fort Worth Aviation Museum today announced the recipients of its 2026 Wings Awards: aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman, honored posthumously, and Dave Palmer, one of the original General Dynamics F-16 test pilots. The Wings Awards, presented annually since 2015, recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the aviation heritage of North Texas.
Bessie Coleman, born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1892 and raised in Waxahachie, was the first African American and first Native American woman to hold a pilot’s license, and the first Black person to earn an international aviation license. Rejected by American flight schools because of her race and gender, Coleman learned French, traveled to France, and earned her license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale on June 15, 1921. Known as “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie,” she thrilled crowds across North America with barnstorming and aerial stunts, refused to perform at air shows that enforced segregation, and used her platform to encourage people of color to fly — her ultimate dream was to establish a flight school to train African American aviators. Coleman died on April 30, 1926, at age 34, during a test flight in Florida. The 2026 award honors her in the centennial year of her final flight and celebrates her enduring legacy as a Texan who opened the skies to all.
Dave Palmer graduated from the United States Naval Academy and flew Navy fighters in combat over Vietnam before joining General Dynamics as an experimental test pilot in 1977. As one of the original F-16 test pilots, Palmer flew the Fighting Falcon extensively from the company’s Fort Worth plant and Edwards Air Force Base from 1977 to 1988, playing a crucial role in refining the aircraft’s capabilities during its critical development years. With approximately 11,000 flight hours across military, commercial, and experimental test flying, Palmer helped establish the F-16 as one of the most versatile and successful fighter aircraft ever built — the greatest aviation success story in Fort Worth’s history, with more than 4,600 produced and flown by air forces around the world — and his work continues to influence fighter design today. Palmer, who resides in Parker County, joins fellow F-16 test pilots LtCol. Phil Oestricher and LtCol. Neil Anderson on the rolls of Wings Awards honorees.
“Bessie Coleman and Dave Palmer represent the full arc of North Texas aviation — a Texas daughter who broke every barrier to fly, and a test pilot who helped give Fort Worth the F-16. The Wings Awards exist to make sure stories like theirs are never forgotten.” — Jim Hodgson, Chairman and Executive Director, Fort Worth Aviation Museum
The 2026 Wings Awards will be presented on Saturday, August 15th at 9:30 am at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum as part of our National Aviation Day celebrations.
About the Fort Worth Aviation Museum
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum, located at 3300 Ross Avenue at Meacham International Airport, preserves and shares the aviation heritage of North Texas through a collection of approximately 40 aircraft and its Preserve ★ Inspire ★ Educate mission. The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at FortWorthAviationMuseum.com.
