Dr. Davis, a physician and surgeon, received his medical license from the State of Kansas in 1913 and began private practice in Kansas City, Kansas. He was attracted to aviation in the late 1920’s. He was the fourth black American to receive his pilot’s license in 1928. In 1929 he founded A. Porter Davis Aviation Industries to teach young people of color to fly, but the depression forced an early closing of the school. In 1938, pursuing a goal to fly every day, he flew over 296 consecutive days and acquired the nickname of the “Flying Physician.” In 1941, Dr. Davis was president of the National Airman’s Association, and organization created to stimulate greater involvement in aviation by black aviators.