The International Air & Space Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will introduce its Distinguished Class of 2017 on Thursday, November 9, in the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Pavilion of Flight.

As of August 21, confirmed 2017 honorees include:

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS (AIAA)
With more than 30,000 members from 88 countries, and 95 corporate members, AIAA is the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. Created in 1963 by the merger of the two great aerospace societies of the day, the American Rocket Society and the Institute of the Aerospace Sciences, AIAA carries forth a proud tradition of more than 80 years of aerospace leadership.

ATLAS PROJECT
The Atlas was America’s first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and also one of the most significant space launch vehicles in our history. Also celebrating the Pioneers who made possible the first launch of the revolutionary Atlas missile, 60 years ago, on June 11, 1957.

HUDSON DRAKE
Aerospace and electronics executive. His career spanned almost four decades in the aerospace, defense and electronics industries. In 1972 he joined Teledyne Inc. and was president of Ryan Electronics, and subsequently, the Ryan Aeronautical Companies.

EMBRY-RIDDLE’S GOLDEN EAGLES FLIGHT TEAM
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott campus’ Golden Eagles Flight team is a competitive intercollegiate flying team composed of highly dedicated and hardworking students that strive to continue a long-standing legacy of pride, academic excellence, and competitive superiority. The team has won 30 consecutive regional championships and 11 national championships.

JOHN HERRINGTON
Retired US Naval Aviator and former NASA astronaut, CDR Herrington was the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space. A Chickasaw American Indian, Herrington was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in November 2002. He returned to Earth in December 2002 after spending 13 days, 18 hours and 47 minutes in space. During the mission, Herrington performed three spacewalks, making him the first Native American to walk in space.

CHRISTA McAULIFFE
In 1985, McAuliffe was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project and was scheduled to become the first teacher in space. As a member of mission STS-51-L, she was planning to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from Space Shuttle Challenger. On January 28, 1986, the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after launch. After her death, schools and scholarships were named in her honor, and in 2004 she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

JOHN J. MONTGOMERY
Aviation Pioneer, inventor, professor of physics, physicist, February 15, 1858 – October 31, 1911. Best known for his invention of controlled heavier-than-air flying machines. In 1946, Columbia Pictures released a full-length movie titled Gallant Journey based on his life and work.

CHANCE VOUGHT
The story of Vought Aircraft Company begins with Chance Vought, an American aviation pioneer and engineer. His first aircraft design, the Mayo-Vought Simplex was built in 1914, and first flew in May of 1915. Chance Vought was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 1989 and even though he did not live to see many of them, more than 15,000 aircraft and missiles bearing the Vought name have been built.

Guests from around the world join the honorees for a spectacular evening of fun and extraordinary recognition, as each attendee is offered an experiential peek into the lives of these air and space legends.

Since 1963 the International Air & Space Hall of Fame has honored more than 200 of the world’s most significant aviation pilots, crew members, visionaries, inventors, aerospace engineers, business leaders, preservationists, designers and space pioneers.

Each honoree is selected for qualitative achievements and historic contributions to aviation, space or aerospace innovation, or expanding the public’s aviation and space awareness to the world. Their individual contributions are prime examples of endurance and the adventurous exploring spirit in the pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement to benefit the world.

Stay tuned for additional information on this year’s Hall of Fame class and when tickets are available for purchase.

Partnerships & Sponsorship Information:

For partnership and additional information please contact Diane Sutherland at (619) 234-8291 x109 or email at dsutherland@sdasm.org.