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TENNESSEE'S OFFICIAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME
THE TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME
Tennessee's Aviation Hall of Fame is a non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) public charity established to recognize, honor and enshrine individuals whose leadership in or for aviation, whether by exceptional service or extraordinary achievement has made an enduring contribution to aviation for Tennessee, our nation or the world. This organization, its projects and educational programs rely solely upon the financial support of individuals, corporations, foundations, grants and bequests. The Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame was designated as the Official State Aviation Hall of Fame by the General Assembly in 2001.
The Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame Board of Directors selected its first class of Inductees early in 2002 and the Inaugural Induction Ceremony was held on September 14, 2002. Annual ceremonies held thereafter are usually scheduled during the 2nd Saturday evening in November.
Here below is a downloadable PDF format Official Nomination Form
OFFICIAL TAHF NOMINATION FORM TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME MEMBERS & BIOS |
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JOHN T. BAUGH, JR. Enshrined November 13, 2004 - 
| | John T. Baugh, Jr. |
Nashvillian John Baugh has served on the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission since first being appointed by Governor Ned McWherter in 1989 and is a former Chairman of the Commission. Mr. Baugh continues his service to Tennessee as a member of the Aeronautics Commission. He is Founder and Past President of Tennessee First Squadron-Warbirds of America. John has served on the Board of Directors of EAA for 24 years, on the Board of EAA's Warbirds of America for 22 years and is also a five-term Past President and CO of WBA. He is a past President of the Nashville QB Chapter. John Baugh holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument, single & multi-engine flight instructor ratings, land and sea, helicopter and an FAA ground level aerobatics waiver. He is type rated in the B-17, B-25, P-51 and P-47, having flown 135 different types of aircraft. In 1995 John T. Baugh was Inducted into EAA's Sport Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2002, the John T. Baugh, Jr. Aviation Excellence Scholarship Fund was established at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.
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WALTER H. BEECH (1891 - 1950) - Enshrined November 12, 2005 
| | Walter Beech |
An aviation pioneer, Walter Beech was born in Pulaski, Tennessee. He began his legendary career in aviation by building a glider age 14. Walter Beech became a U.S. Army Aviator in 1917 and later joined the Swallow Airplane Company where he became a test pilot and later, General Manager. Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna and Lloyd Stearman (all of whom became aviation legends) co-founded the Travel Air Aircraft Company in 1924. The company became the world's largest producer of monoplane and biplane commercial aircraft and earned international acclaim by establishing numerous performance records. Travel Air Aircraft subsequently merged with the Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Company and Walter Beech became its President. In 1932, Walter and his wife Olive Ann founded Beech Aircraft Corporation. Beech airplanes set numerous speed and distance records and the famous Beech Staggerwing won the prestigious Bendix Air Race. During World War II, Beech Aircraft turned its entire production to defense, producing more than 7,400 military aircraft. The Twin-Beech AT-71C-45 was used to train most of the U.S. Army Air Force navigator/bombardier's and over half of the multi-engine pilots. Now a part of the Raytheon Corporation, Beech Aircraft became and remains a world-renowned corporate and personal aircraft manufacturer. The extraordinary history of Beech Airplanes is preserved and on display in Tullahoma, Tennessee at the Staggerwing Museum Foundation located on the Parish Aerodrome. Walter Beech was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1977.
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| | Bob Bomar |
ROBERT E. BOMAR Enshrined November 10, 2007 - Shelbyville's "Bomar Field" Airport was literally Bomar's field for years until it was first leased then purchased by the City of Shelbyville. The airport was built and owned by Bob Bomar; begun while he was home on leave as a Navy Pilot in 1944. Before enlisting in the Navy, Bob Bomar graduated from Cumberland University's first Civilian Pilot Training Class in 1939. While in the service, Bob flew various Navy fighter aircraft in the European and Pacific theatres. Bomar aspired to an airline career but his entire life has been dedicated to general aviation where he earned a reputation as staunch advocate early in his career. Governor Frank Clement sought Bomar's counsel in 1953 that resulted in saving the floundering Tennessee Bureau of Aeronautics. That same year the Governor appointed a five-member Aeronautics Commission to oversee and manage the Bureau. Fifty airports were constructed across Tennessee between 1953 to 1968 while Bob Bomar chaired and served on the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission. From 1968 until 1992 Bob devoted himself to the Shelbyville Airport and upon retirement in 1992, he and his late wife were honored as recipients of Tennessee's "Career Contributions to Aviation" award.
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| | Stan Brock |
STAN BROCK Enshrined November 10, 2007 - Englishman, now long-time Knoxvillian, Stan Brock is recognized by many as the former co-star of the television series Wild Kingdom, but his true legacy will be indelibly cast as the Founder of the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, a non-profit, volunteer, airborne relief effort dedicated to serving mankind by providing free health, dental and eye care as well as veterinary, technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world. Brock founded Remote Area Medical in Knoxville in 1985. He and a huge cast of volunteer doctors, nurses, pilots, veterinarians and support workers work without pay as they participate in expeditions to help others, all at their own expense. Stan Brock learned to fly in Georgetown, Guiana many years ago and now has over 8,000 hours of flying time. He is an Air Transport rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor. Remote Area Medical's aircraft include a Douglas DC-3 and Cessna 206.
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JAMES W. "PETE" CAMPBELL (1920 - 1999) Enshrined November 11, 2006 -
Pete Campbell first learned to fly at Gill-Dove Field in Martin, Tennessee after serving in an Army Reserve Infantry Unit. He subsequently transfered to the Army Air Force to train as a glider pilot. Campbell entered the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet program in 1943 and became a Commissioned Officer in January 1944. He flew B-24's in the South Pacific, tallying 56 combat missions with the 380th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. Pete returned home after the war and opened a small FBO at Union City Airport. In the 50's he was with the training division of California Eastern Airways contracted to train pilots for the Air Force. Campbell joined the Federal Aviation Administration in 1960 as a field inspector. His assignment to the FAA Academy in 1964 lead to the creation of what is considered to be one of the most beneficial safety programs in FAA history. Troubled by the dismal safety record of Certified Flight Instructors across the entire nation, Pete Campbell created teams of FAA Flight and Ground Instructors who traveled the entire country implementing what became "Flight Instructor Refresher Courses", still in place today. Over a period of about seven years and more than 200 courses, training more than 16,000 flight instructors, the accident rate among flight instructors was reduced by more than 50%. In 1971 Pete Campbell created another successful safety initiative by organizing the FAA's "Accident Prevention Program". Also part of his continuing legacy, it placed FAA Accident Specialists in each of the nation's eighty-five General Aviation District Offices, now called FSDO's. James W. "Pete" Campbell retired from the FAA in 1980 after serving as Chief of the Nashville Flight Standards District Office. In retirement he continued to write, lecture and teach as a nationally recognized authority on Federal Air Regulations, the National Airspace System and flight training. Pete served as the first Southeast Regional Representative for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and was one of the first three Flight Instructors to be inducted into the Flight Instructors Hall of Fame in 1997.
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| | Ernest W. Colbert |
ERNEST WILLIAM COLBERT- Enshrined November 8, 2003 -
Mr. Colbert helped build warplanes during WWII at Nashville's Vultee Aircraft plant. In 1944, he and a partner founded Colemill Flying Service at Cornelia Fort Airpark in Nashville. In 1962, Bill Colbert's idea to convert aircraft began with an FAA Approved STC to modify an Aero Commander 500A. Since that first conversion, Colemill Enterprises has become the world's largest and most famous aircraft modifications company. Colemill has become internationally famous for conversions of the Piper Navajo, Beechcraft Baron, Beechcraft Bonanza and Cessna 310 series airplanes. The company holds more than twenty STC's and completes approximately forty-five conversions each year. Colbert pioneered the aircraft modifications and conversions business into what has become his company's slogan "Making Great Airplanes Better".
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LARRY D. COX, AAE - Enshrined November 12, 2005 , President 
| | Larry Cox, AAE |
& CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority for 32-years, has lead the Memphis International Airport to prominence around the globe. For more than 10 years, Memphis International has been the leading air cargo airport in the entire world. 3.55 million metric tons of air cargo were handled at MEM in 2004. A native Tennessean, Cox was born in Nashville. He earned a BBA in Economics from the University of Memphis where he graduated Cum Laude and as a Distinguished Military graduate of Air Force ROTC. After an honorable discharge as an Air Force Captain, he went on to earn an MBA in Management from the University of Memphis. Widely respected among airport management professionals world wide, Larry Cox has received numerous honors. They include: "1994 Airport Manager of the Year" from the Federal Aviation Administration's Southern Region, The FAA "Kitty Hawk" Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Airport Executives, "The Chairs Award" from AAAE, FedEx Corporation's "Bravo Zulu Award" and the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission's highest individual honor for Career Contributions To Aviation. Larry Cox has served for many years as President of the Tennessee Association of Air Carrier Airports and is a co-founder and Charter Member of the Tennessee Aviation Association.
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| | Lanny G. Culver |
LANNY G. CULVER Enshrined November 10, 2007 - Louisiana native Lanny Culver made an extraordinary mark in aviation in Memphis that began when he became Vice President of world famous Jack Adams Aircraft Sales in 1972. It is said that Lanny Culver's name will always be at the forefront of those who took business aircraft sales from its beginnings to the multi-billion dollar business it is today, and for helping establish Memphis as a hub for business aviation. Culver was a visionary who developed an extraordinary knowledge of the world market for aircraft. His impeccable integrity, ethics and business acumen earned Lanny a global reputation as the consummate professional in the business and corporate aircraft industry. A stroke in April 2001 ended a career of leadership, innovation and integrity that will always be the legacy of Lanny Culver.
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JOHN E. ELLINGTON Enshrined November 11, 2006 -
John Ellington graduated from MTSU in 1956 and joined the U.S. Army as an Aviation Maintenance Specialist. In 1959 he joined Capitol Airways of Nashville and flew DC-3's, the C-46, DC-4 and the Lockheed Constellation. He was employed by Delta Airlines in 1962 and became Delta's Chief Pilot in 1988. While at Delta, Ellington flew the DC-6, DC-7, C-46 DC-8, DC-9, Convair 440 & 880, DC-10, Lockheed 1011 and MD-11. After 32 years at Delta and holding a variety of flight and management positions and flying as Captain aboard most of the aircraft owned by the airline during that time on routes around the world, John retired in 1994 and returned to Rutherford County as Director of Operations at Corporate Flight Management. Soon thereafter he was employed as Director of Training at America Trans Air of Indianapolis and later became Vice President of Operations. Ellington once again returned home to accept a position as Executive Director of the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority. 1n 1999 he joined World Airways of Herndon, Virginia and later became its President & COO. He retired from World Airways in 2003. Still an active pilot with more than 22,100 hours of flight time, Mr. Ellington is Past-President of the Middle Tennessee State University Foundation and Past President of the MTSU National Alumni Association. He continues to serve on the Advisory Council to the College of Basic & Applied Sciences which includes the Aerospace Department. John and his wife Barbara are sponsors of the John & Barbara Ellington Aerospace Endowed Scholarship at MTSU. Barbara retired after 30 years as a Flight Attendant with Delta Airlines. John Ellington is the son of former Tennessee Governor, Buford Ellington.
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MAJ. GEN. LEE V. GOSSICK, USAF Ret. (1920 2005)
Enshrined November 13, 2004 -
A former Commander of the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), Air Force Systems Command at Arnold Air Force Station, Tennessee will be inducted and enshrined at the 3rd ANNUAL TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY AND GALA at the TENNESSEE MUSEUM OF AVIATION on November 13th. The Gossick Leadership Center at AEDC, named in honor of General Gossick and dedicated in 1993, bears witness to his extraordinary leadership during a 32-year career in the United States Air Force. General Gossick was nominated to the TENNESSEE AVIATION HALL OF FAME by Major George M. Blackburn of Nashville. Both General Gossick and Major Blackburn were World War II Fighter Pilots. General Gossick entered the military service in 1941 as an aviation cadet and received his pilot wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant in April 1942. Gossick flew 88 combat missions in P-40 aircraft as a member of the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group serving in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Sicily. He attended Ohio State University under the Air Force Institute of Technology program and earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master's degree in aeronautical engineering. He is a 1959 graduate of the Air War College and attended Harvard University for advanced management studies in 1961. Numerous career assignments include Project Engineer, Directorate of Research and Chief, Air Defense Systems Division at Headquarters Air Research and Development Command at Baltimore, MD., Headquarters U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief Defense Systems Group, Deputy Chief of Staff, Development; Executive Officer to the assistant secretary of the Air Force (Research & Development); Chief, Space Division, Directorate of Advanced Engineering and Deputy Director of Development, Deputy Chief of Staff, research & development. In July 1964 he became Commander of AEDC. In 1967 General Gossick was assigned as Deputy for the F-111 Program at Aeronautical Systems Division, AFSC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In December 1968 he became Vice Commander of the Aeronautical Systems Division and Commander in August 1969. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem. He holds the aeronautical rating of Command Pilot. General Gossick was designated a Distinguished Alumnus by Ohio State University in 1960. In April 1967 he received the Arnold Air Society's General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Trophy for "Outstanding scientific contributions to aerospace development in the field of science." He was selected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics in 1970. After retiring from the Air Force, Gossick returned to AEDC and served as Director of Quality & Safety and then as Deputy General Manager of the AEDC aeropropulsion testing contractor for nine years. He is credited with enhancing both the quality of AEDC test and evaluation services and the quality of life for the entire AEDC community. His initiatives to communicate effectively to the Department of Defense and NASA, emphasizing the benefits of ground testing at the center, before flight ,were very successful and increased the test workload and the AEDC work force.
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R.A. "BOB" HOOVER Enshrined November 8, 2003 -
World-renowned aviation legend, Bob Hoover was born in Nashville, Tennessee and taught himself aerobatics at Berry Field. A test pilot, air show performer, and WWII Aviator, Bob Hoover escaped from a German prison camp during WWII. Since that time, this noted aerobatic genius has performed in more air shows, in more different countries, before more spectators than anyone in the history of aviation. General Jimmy Doolittle called Hoover "the greatest stick and rudder pilot who ever lived." His famous Aero Commander 500A air show aircraft is now on permanent display at the National Air & Space Museum's new Stephen Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport.
Bob Hoover was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1988.
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COSBY P. HARRISON (1900-1984) Enshrined November 13, 2004 -
Cosby Harrison founded Trade-A-Plane in 1937 in Crossville, where it continues to be published today. Its first issue was mailed to 9,000 pilots on October 5, 1937. Over the past 67 years, Trade-A-Plane has become a world renowned icon among aviation publications with more than 1.7 million copies distributed annually. An original first issue is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in our nation's capital.
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COL. JAMES R. HAUN, USAF (1911-2001) Enshrined September 14, 2002 -
James R. Haun was born in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1925, he took his first airplane ride in a Travelair at Chattanooga. He then bought a Waco 9 for $400.00 and rebuilt it. Throughout the late 1930s, Haun flew barnstorming air shows in Tennessee and Arkansas and worked as a flight instructor. In August 1939, Haun was Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant US Army Air Corps Reserve and the next year volunteered for active duty. In 1942, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and later became Commander of the 12th Observation Squadron, and promoted to Captain. In late 1942, Haun went to RAF Membury, UK and was assigned to 12th Fighter Squadron where he flew Spitfires. Later he became C.O. of 100th Fighter Wing, flew Republic P-47s and was promoted to Lt. Colonel. In 1944, Haun's unit moved to France, where he flew P-51s. He was then transferred to Brussels, Belgium as a Forward Air Controller with an infantry division. In August 1945, Haun transferred to Air Transport Command, flying C-54s in India and was Director of Operations. In 1950 Jim was promoted to Colonel. In 1951, Col. Haun became C.O. of the 1254th Squadron at Washington National Airport, home of Air Force One. He retired from the Air Force in 1964. After retirement, Col. Haun returned to flight instructing in Middle Tennessee. This distinguished American remained involved in aviation until his death in 2001. Learn more about Col. Haun at www.spitfirewingman.com .
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EDWARD CHALMERS HUFFAKER(1856-1937) Enshrined November 8, 2003 -
Aviation pioneer Edward Chalmers Huffaker born in Sevier County, Tennessee, worked with Orville and Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk in 1901. He earned degrees from Emory and Henry College and the University of Virginia. In 1893, E.C. Huffaker submitted his paper entitled "The Value of Curved Surfaces in Flight", based upon his new theory of lift resulting from observations of soaring birds, to the Congress on Aerial Navigation. Two years later, in May of 1895,The Wright brothers wrote the Smithsonian Institution requesting publications on flight. Edward C. Huffaker's paper and his application of Bernoulli's principle to the generation of lift as air flows over curved surfaces were among those they received. The genius of Edward Chalmers Huffaker significantly connected this special Tennessean with the Wright brothers' historical first powered flight. Aviation changed the world forever and E.C. Huffaker earned a place in the history of early flight.
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EVELYN BRYAN JOHNSON Enshrined September 14, 2002 -
In 1929, Evelyn Bryan Johnson graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College. In 1944, she rode a train from Morristown to Knoxville, took a bus, then walked one mile and finally reached Island Home Airport in a rowboat. That day she took her first flying lesson and she soloed a month later. At age 94, Evelyn Johnson remains an active flight instructor and FAA pilot examiner in Morristown, Tennessee. With more than 57,000 of flying time in her logbook, Evelyn is the highest flight time aviatrix in the world. Among hundreds of honors, she is also enshrined in the Flight Instructors Hall of Fame during its inaugural ceremony in 1997.
Evelyn Bryan Johnson was inducted into the NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME on July 21, 2007.
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WILLIAM K. KERSHNER (1930-2007) Enshrined September 14, 2004 -
Bill Kershner is an internationally renowned aviation trainer, author, aerobatics and flight instructor and former Naval Aviator. Twenty editions and ninety-three printings of his books and aviation training manuals and have sold more than 1.3 million copies. Among the many awards Kershner has received is the 1992 General Aviation/FAA National Flight Instructor of the Year. He is enshrined in the Flight Instructor's Hall of Fame. He has also been honored as a lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air & Space Museum.
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| | Bob McNab & Jim Wolfe |
ROBERT B. MCNAB and JAMES A. WOLFE (1948-1999) - Enshrined November 12, 2005 The names of Bob McNab and Jim Wolfe are inseparable in the helicopter industry just as their extraordinary partnership, accomplishments and contributions to the world of helicopters are irrevocably linked. McNab and Wolfe co-founded Edwards & Associates in Piney Flats, Tennessee in 1977 to market helicopters. Their shared imaginative vision, entrepreneurial spirit, bold leadership and strict commitment to quality made Bob McNab and Jim Wolfe world leaders in the helicopter industry. Edwards & Associates and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., Aeronautical Plastics, Inc. and Rotor Blades, Inc. became global leaders in the manufacture and sales of over 800 helicopter products. The Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. products line included 244 foreign approvals or FAA Supplemental Type Certificates. The quality, and optical clarity of Aeronautical Plastics, Inc. products resulted in their installation as original equipment by several manufacturers. In 1996, Robert B. McNab and James A. Wolfe were awarded the coveted Helicopter Association International, Lawrence D. Bell Memorial Award, established in 1971 to salute excellence in management leadership and for long and significant service to the civil helicopter industry. Mr. Wolfe, who passed away in August 1999, served as an Army Helicopter Pilot during the Vietnam War and was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and several commendation medals with Valor, including the Bronze Star. Edwards & Associates and its subsidiaries were premier suppliers to Bell Helicopter Textron of Ft. Worth, TX for 20 years. In 1999, Bell Helicopter acquired the companies but they continue to be located in Northeastern Tennessee.
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CHARLES E. NELSON Enshrined November 8, 2003 -
Charles E. Nelson was born in Euchee (Miegs County), Tennessee in 1931. He joined the United States Air Force in 1949 and became an Airborne Radio Operator. After his discharge from the military Charlie worked for Douglas Aircraft then under contract to build the B-47. In 1968, through an ad in Trade-A-Plane, Charlie Nelson founded The International Swift Association. One hundred twenty-six responses became an association of more than a thousand members from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada,
France, Australia, Finland, Germany, South Africa and New Zealand. Annual Swift Fly-In conventions began in 1969 and have been held in Athens, Tennessee since 1982. Hundreds of Swift members, enthusiasts and the public attend the event each year. The Swift Museum Foundation was formed and is located at the Athens-McMinn County Airport. In 1980 Mr. Nelson lead a tenacious effort to acquire the type certificate, tooling, engineering data and spare parts of Swift Aircraft, destined to be acquired by a foreign investor and moved out of the country. He also assisted in negotiations with the Government of Saudi Arabia that saved and returned to the United States a rare Temco T-35 "Swift" Buckaroo. That airplane is on display at the Swift Museum in Athens.
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ASTRONAUT MARGARET RHEA SEDDON, 
| | Dr. Rhea Seddon, MD |
M.D. - Enshrined November 12, 2005. Born in Murfreesboro, Rhea Seddon became a NASA Astronaut in 1979. A three-flight veteran with more than 722 hours in space Dr. Seddon was a mission specialist on STS-51D in 1985 and STS-40 in 1991. She was the Payload Commander on STS-58 in 1993. In September 1996 she was detailed by NASA to Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville where she assisted in the preparation of cardiovascular experiments which flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on the Neurolab Spacelab flight in April 1998. Born in Murfreesboro, Margaret Rhea Seddon graduated from Central High School in 1965. She received a BA in Physiology from the University of California, Berkley in 1970 and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1973. Dr. Seddon completed her surgical internship and 3-years of general surgery residency in Memphis. Dr. Seddon is married to former Astronaut Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson and is now the Assistant Chief Medical Officer of the Vanderbilt Medical Group in Nashville.
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CAPT. CHARLIE R. SMITH, M.D. Enshrined November 11, 2006 -
Charlie Ray Smith is a native of Kodak, Tennessee who has lead a double life
. one as an Airline Pilot, and another as a Doctor, and both at the same time! FAA mandatory retirement at age 60 took him out of the left seat as an airline Captain after 36 years with American Airlines, but not out of the Doctor's office. Today, 17 years later, Dr. Smith continues to practice medicine in Nashville, now primarily as one of Middle Tennessee's most beloved FAA Medical Examiners. Charlie R. Smith joined the Air Force at the tender age of 17. He later flew a B-29 mission into Korea on the first day of the Korean War, a fact recorded at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. After 57 missions over Korea, at age 23, Charlie Smith was discharged from his distinguished service to his country having earned The Distinguished Flying Cross and Five Oak Leaf Clusters. Smith was hired by American Airlines in 1953 and began flying the DC-6. While flying for the airline, he used his G.I. benefits to enroll in pre-med at UT-Knoxville. He persisted through furloughs and leaves-of-absence through medical school and residencies and graduated from UT's Medical School in 1965. He practiced Ophthalmology and taught as a Clinical Medical Instructor at Vanderbilt University until 1994. Even though Charlie retired as American's 10th most senior pilot in 1989 he continues to serve aviation through his private practice of Aviation Medicine as an FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and consultant to the Federal Air Surgeon.
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FREDERICK W. SMITH Enshrined September 14, 2002 -
Fred Smith founded Federal Express, now known as FedEx, in 1971. He is chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation, a $20 billion global transportation and logistics holding company. FedEx companies serve 211 countries with operations that include more than 640 aircraft, and about 95,000 vehicles. More than 215,000 employees and independent contractors worldwide handle an average of five million shipments every day. Headquartered in Memphis, FedEx is Tennessee's largest corporate employer. FedEx operations helped Memphis International Airport become the largest air cargo airport in the world. A leader in regulatory reform, Smith has been an active proponent of global commerce and "open skies agreements" for aviation around the world. In 1976, Smith launched an airline deregulation campaign before Congress, the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aeronautics Board to obtain an air-cargo operating certificate for large aircraft.
Fredrick W. Smith was inducted into the NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME on July 21, 2007.
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| | William S. Whitmore |
WILLIAM S. WHITMORE (1923-2001) Enshrined November 10, 2007 - Bill Whitmore's aviation career began in 1942 when he became a Marine Aviator. He flew 168 missions in WWII in the F4U Corsair and the AD-4 Skyraider attack bomber in Korea and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Whitmore began what was to become a distinguished 30-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1961. His logbook contains evidence that he conducted over 5,000 pilot check rides but his legacy is his extraordinary contributions to aviation safety in Tennessee. In 1990 when he retired from the FAA, the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission awarded Bill Whitmore its highest individual honor for his "Career Contributions to Aviation in Tennessee"
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JOHN SHELTON WILDER Enshrined November 13, 2004 -
No other public servant in Tennessee's history has been a more ardent or more effective advocate for aviation, air transportation and Tennessee's system of airports than Lt. Governor John S. Wilder. Mr. Wilder, Speaker of the Senate, is also a pilot who has flown for more than 40 years and logged over 12,000 hours of flight time. He holds a unique and distinguished place in the history of our nation having served as Speaker of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee for 36 years, longer than anyone has held that office in any state in United States history. Now in his 80's, Governor Wilder still commutes between his home in West Tennessee to the State Capital in "Jaybird" his beloved 1970 Piper Twin Comanche aircraft.
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ROBERT A. "BOB" WILSON Enshrined November 11, 2006 -
Robert A. Wilson served the Air National Guard in Tennessee for over 30 years. His love of flying began at an early age. He soloed an airplane when he was 15 years old and earned his Private Pilots License on his 16th birthday, before he got his drivers license the next day. Bob is an Air Force Command Pilot with over 12,000 hours of flight time in a long list of military and civilian aircraft. During his service to our country with Tennessee's Air National Guard he served as Aircraft Commander, Flight Commander, 155th Airlift Squadron Commander, Wing Chief of Safety and Director of Operations for the 164th Airlift Wing at Memphis International Airport. Bob Wilson was personally responsible for the installation of the only flight director system ever installed for the C-130A aircraft allowing it to operate with lower weather minimums thereby increasing its military value and efficiency. At TANG-Memphis he was responsible for the flight safety and operations of ten (10) C-130A aircraft and later, nine (9) C-141B & C aircraft. As Director of Operations for the C-141 aircraft conversion he supervised the transition of over 1,200 personnel to a new and demanding mission at Memphis. Wilson is Founder and President of Wilson Air, Inc., a corporate and general aviation fixed base operation at Memphis International Airport, selected in 2005 as the number one FBO in the United States. Wilson Air has recently opened similar facilities at Charlotte International Airport and at Houston's Hobby Airport. Mr. Wilson is one of three recipients of the Legends in Aviation Award voted on by the local aviation community in Memphis.
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