Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Place Where We Learned to Fly

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

1. The Place Where We Learned to Fly Marker

Inscription. Over 1,000 cadets learned to fly here at Moton Field, taking off and landing on an open, grassy field beyond the structures below. The field was used so intensely for primary flight training during World War II that the aircraft soon rutted the field and wore away the grass. The paved runways you see now were added in in the 1970s.

Moton Field was a small airfield, but it was the scene of great accomplishments. The men and women who came to Moton Field went on to change the nation forever.

This was the place where we learned to fly, we became pilots, we became officers . . . .
Randolph Edwards, 2003

[Photo caption]
Flight instructor evaluates the technique of an
aviation cadet landing a PT-17 on one of Milton
Field's grass runways.

Erected by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 2003.

Location. 32° 27.392′ N, 85° 40.84′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Alabama, in Macon County. Located at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 1616 Chappie James Avenue, Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. New Vistas (here, next to this marker); Hangar No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bit to Eat (within shouting distance of this marker); Ghost Structures (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil Storage Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Waiting for the Bus (within shouting distance of this marker); FIRE! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bath and Locker House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.

Marker can be seen on distant far right above Moton Field buildings. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

2. Marker can be seen on distant far right above Moton Field buildings.

A Boeing-Stearman PT-17 trainer, located in the Hangar No. 1 here. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

3. A Boeing-Stearman PT-17 trainer, located in the Hangar No. 1 here.

View of Moton Field hangars, control tower and the airfield behind them. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

4. View of Moton Field hangars, control tower and the airfield behind them.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 357 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.