NASA Astronaut William E. Thornton, M.D.

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Flight Suit 
STS-51B/Spacelab-3 Challenger
April 29 - May 6, 1985
  • (7-day flight)
  • 110 orbits of the Earth
  • traveled 2.9 million miles
  • 169 hours and 39 minutes

Launched from Kennedy Space Center
Landed at Edwards Air Force Base

Dr. Thornton (center) presents flight suit to 
Coats Museum Chairman H.L. Sorrell (left) 
and Liaison Joe Tart (right).


Alton Stewart was proclaimed in 2005
to be the first licensed pilot in North Carolina

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Alton Stewart, First Licensed Pilot in North Carolina
PictureDr. Harry C. Roberts was the second physician in Coats




Coats Pioneer Aviator

Dr. Harry C. Roberts



Eugene Stewart, Aviation Instructor
Jimmy Dorman and Tony Tyndall talk about Earl Denning and the ultralite aircraft experience