Exploring the history of aviation in Greater Miami and the Sunshine State

A historical view of the Pan American hangar with vintage aircraft parked at the Miami airport, showcasing the rich history of aviation in Florida.
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PAN AM HANGAR 5
1905
1920		1920
1930		1930
1940		1940
1945		1945
1965		1965
1980		1980-

Florida’s flat terrain and year-round blue skies made it a natural training ground for the development of aviation.
Hangar 5 Foundation invites you to explore the fascinating history of flight in our state.

1905-1920 – From Kites to Catapults –
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Historic images of Miami International Airport, showcasing its evolution over time with vintage aircraft and terminal buildings.
1945-1965 – Postwar Travel Boom Fuels Expansion
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Vintage advertisement for Aeromarine flying boats featuring a seaplane and tropical scenery in Florida, highlighting routes to Key West, Havana, Miami, Bimini, and Nassau.
1920-1930 – Fledgling Enterprises Test their Wings
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A Pan Am 747 airplane flying over a scenic landscape at sunset, with text that reads 'You are sitting in the leading edge of this new system—the magnificent 747.'
1965 – 1980 – Triumph and Turmoil
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A watercolor painting of a seaplane landing on water with a beach scene and boats in the background, illustrating the history of aviation in Florida.
1930-1940 – Scheduled Services Expand
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Aerial view of an airport during sunset featuring multiple Eastern Airlines planes on the tarmac with an airliner taking off in the background.
1980 – The Deregulation Revolution
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Aerial view of an airfield filled with various vintage aircraft, with personnel working and a military fuel truck parked nearby.
1940-1945 – The Wings of War
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Historical image of the Emby-Riddle Company building, featuring the 'School of Aviation' sign, surrounded by palm trees.
Stories – People, places and events
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TIME magazine cover featuring a black and white portrait of Glenn H. Curtiss, dated October 13, 1924.
Stories:
Glenn Curtiss — Pioneer of the air, godfather of Miami aviation
Historic photograph featuring Domingo Rosillo with a backdrop of Key West and Havana, dated May 17, 1913, highlighting early aviation history.
1913: The Key West-Havana challenge
Historical black and white photograph showing construction workers at a waterfront site with a barge and wooden pilings in the background.
1917: A Naval Air Station is built at Dinner Key
Historic black and white photograph of a zeppelin flying above a hangar with power lines and a railway in the foreground.
1917: NAS Key West sends wings over the Keys
A vintage postcard depicting a race between a seaplane labeled 'Miss Miami' and a boat labeled '4' at a regatta in Miami, Florida, against a colorful sunset background.
December 1919: Aero Limited arrives in Miami
Historic newspaper article featuring information about aviation in Dade County, Florida, with images of early airplanes and pilots.
1924: Curtiss Florida Aviation Camp bustles with activity
A vintage photograph featuring a man in a suit leaning against an old car with the plane 'Miss Tampa' and 'Florida Airways' visible in the background.
1926: Florida Airways begins scheduled services
A postage stamp featuring Bessie Coleman, an aviation pioneer, with the inscription 'BLACK HERITAGE' and her name, along with the year '1995'.
Stories: Remembering Bessie Coleman
Pilot Charles Lindbergh
1927-28: Lindbergh charts a route to the future
Historic illustration depicting Pan American's first passenger flight from Key West, Florida to Havana, Cuba on January 16, 1928. The image features an airplane on a runway with passengers boarding, surrounded by vintage cars and a hangar.
1927: An aviation empire is launched from Key West
Historic photograph of a large crowd gathered at an airfield, watching an airplane take off in front of a hangar, showcasing early aviation in Florida.
1929: Pan American Airport transforms Miami into an international gateway
A portrait of J. T. Trippe, noted as the first in a series of Pan American Portraits, illustrated in a sketch style.
Stories:
Juan Trippe — creator of an American aviation empire
A large crowd gathered by the water to watch a Pan American Airways clipper ship, labeled 'Off to Havana,' in Miami, Florida. The vibrant scene captures the excitement of early aviation history.
1931: Golden age of flying boats is launched from Dinner Key
Vintage postcard depicting an Eastern Air Lines aircraft, part of the 'Great Silver Fleet,' taking off near a small airport in Miami, Florida, with a colorful sky in the background.
1935: Eastern Air Lines makes Miami its permanent home
Cover of LIFE magazine featuring a headshot of Eddie Rickenbacker, dated January 25, 1943, with the headline 'EDDIE RICKENBACKER TELLS HIS OWN STORY - IN THIS ISSUE' and the magazine's price.
Stories:
Eddie Rickenbacker — Eastern Air Lines’ indomitable chairman
Historic photo of the National Airlines building, featuring the slogan 'Airline of the Stars', with vintage cars parked in front.
1942: National moves to 36th Street airfields
Historical illustration featuring the Pan American Airlines team, highlighting the 'Cannonball' route to India with a focus on flight milestones and achievements.
1942: Pan Am’s “Cannonball” service provides lifeline for allies
Vintage poster featuring a person wearing goggles with small aircraft illustrations and the text 'Eyes of the Home Skies', promoting the Civil Air Patrol.
1942: Florida Civil Air Patrol hunts down German U-boats
A painting depicting several vintage aircraft flying in a blue sky with clouds, emphasizing the theme of aviation history.
1945: The enduring enigma of the “Bermuda Triangle”
Historic black and white photograph of the entrance to Miami International Airport, featuring a large archway sign that reads 'Welcome to Miami' and 'Miami International Airport'.
1946: Port Authority’s first year at Miami International Airport marked by growing pains
A vintage advertisement featuring the tail of a Pan American Airways (Pan Am) jet, with the text 'JET CLIPPERS ARE HERE' and an American flag.
1958: Pan Am pioneers the jet age
Historic view of Miami International Airport showcasing the terminal building and surrounding area, featuring classic cars and people walking.
1959: New Miami International Airport is world class
An illustration promoting Delta Airlines' Royal Jet Service featuring a stylish woman in a red coat and hat, walking towards a DC-8 airplane, with additional passengers boarding in the background.
1959-60: Miami: Proving ground for the Jet Age
Illustration depicting a Pan Am 747 aircraft with an orange background, accompanied by smaller images and icons related to aviation services.
The star-crossed history of the Clipper Victor
Historic airplane from Naples Airlines parked at an airport terminal.
Colorful commuters provide convenient localized service
Historical image of a rocket on a launch pad, surrounded by scaffolding and technicians observing.
Stories: The Space Age arrives in Florida with the help of Pan Am
A327A330 wide-bodied jetliner at Miami airport with a boarding staircase and passengers approaching the aircraft. The image includes a caption discussing its competition with McDonnell Douglas DC10 and Lockheed 1011.
1973: Airbus A 300 makes U.S. debut in Miami