Guests from around the world are assembling for a spectacular evening of fun and extraordinary recognition for the annual star-studded International Air & Space Hall of Fame Celebration on Saturday Nov. 21.

Since 1963, the International Air & Space Hall of Fame has honored the world’s most significant pilots, crew members, visionaries, inventors, industry leading companies, aerospace engineers, aerospace industrialists, preservationists, designers and space explorers.

This year’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame “Class of 2026” includes: Dr. Mark Albrecht, distinguished aerospace executive, space policy leader and author; Nell “Mickey” Stevenson Bright, pioneering aviator and last living Women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP); John Cudahy, leading voice in the air show industry and President and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS); Doug Matthews, accomplished aviation entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist whose career has been defined by innovation and a pioneering spirit; OMEGA Watches, renowned for accuracy and ruggedness, Speedmaster chronographs are inextricably linked to the most dramatic and impressive scientific achievements in human history, including all six lunar landings; and Robert Rivers, distinguished NASA test pilot, Naval aviator and aerospace engineer whose career spans more than 13,000 flight hours in over 70 aircraft types.

Meet the International Air & Space Hall of Fame “Class of 2026”

Dr. Mark J. Albrecht
A distinguished aerospace executive, space policy leader and author, Mark Albrecht has more than three decades of experience in government and aerospace industries. He served as Executive Secretary of the White House National Space Council under President George H.W. Bush and later led International Launch Services for Lockheed Martin and advised government and industry on space policy. Albrecht is a recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Department of Defense Distinguished Civil Service Medal.

Nell “Mickey” Stevenson Bright
Pioneering aviator and the last living Women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP), Mickey Bright is one of only 1,074 women to earn WASP wings during World War II, she was among the first 20 women selected to train on B-25 bombers. She flew a remarkable range of aircraft, including the B-25, B-26, P-47 and A-24, performing tow-target and other vital wartime missions. Now 105, Bright remains a powerful living link to the courageous women who advanced American aviation and opened new horizons for generations of women pilots.

John Cudahy
Since 1997, John Cudahy has been a leading voice in the air show industry and President and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS). With a career spanning more than four decades in association management, Cudahy helped elevate the professionalism, safety and visibility of the air show industry while serving as a key liaison between air show professionals, the military, government officials and federal regulators. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Cudahy is also a licensed private pilot.

Doug Matthews
Douglas Matthews is a 28,000-hour pilot, accomplished aviation entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career has been defined by innovation and a pioneering spirit. A highly-decorated Vietnam veteran, Matthews served as an F-4 Phantom fighter instructor in the Navy before launching his parallel careers in aviation and business. Among his many endeavors, he founded an airliner leasing company, which grew to more than $1 billion in assets. He also founded the first major Contract Air Services company -- Flight International -- which would eventually start the first contract Aggressor Aircraft program, now a multi-billion dollar industry, for the U.S. Navy. He has set more than 100 U.S. and World aviation records including the world’s altitude record for a propeller aircraft. Matthews spent his career advancing aviation through entrepreneurial innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence and philanthropy.

OMEGA Watches
Renowned for their legendary ruggedness and accuracy, OMEGA wristwatches are inextricably linked to the most dramatic and impressive scientific achievements in human history, including all six lunar landings. The legacy of OMEGA’s wristwatches is studded with milestones, and one event arguably eclipses all others: when Apollo 11’s Lunar Module landed on the Moon’s surface on July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were wearing OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs, as had every NASA astronaut since March of 1965 when NASA chose it as its official chronograph, declaring it flight-qualified for all manned space missions.

Robert A. Rivers
Robert Rivers is a distinguished NASA test pilot, Naval aviator and aerospace engineer whose career spans more than 13,000 flight hours in over 70 aircraft types. During 14 years at NASA’s Langley Research Center, he served as lead project pilot on numerous advanced flight research programs and became the only pilot to fly and evaluate both the Concorde and Russian Tu-144 supersonic transports. A recipient of numerous honors including NASA’s Aviation Professional of the Year Award and NASA Exceptional Service Medal, Rivers was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2015.

In addition to inducting the “Class of 2026,” this year’s celebration pays tribute to four extraordinary aviation pioneers – Buzz Aldrin, Clay Lacy, Seymour “Si” Robin and Royce Williams – whose groundbreaking achievements shaped modern aerospace. During the event, Aldrin, Lacy, Robin and Williams will be awarded with the Aviation Sword of Excellence, recognizing their enduring legacy of innovation and inspiration to generations of innovators and explorers to reach ever higher. 

The International Air & Space Hall of Fame ‘Class of 2026’ and Sword of Excellence recipients represent the true pioneering spirit of aviation exploration, from American icons in the skies over countless cultural and historic moments, to record-setting flights, legendary fighter aircraft, and groundbreaking revolutions in commercial and business aviation innovation.

The four recipients of the International Air & Space Sword of Excellence include:

Buzz Aldrin
Astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and fighter pilot, Buzz Aldrin became the second person to walk on the Moon after mission commander Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969, spending two hours and 15 minutes collecting surface samples and deploying experiments. Aldrin made three spacewalks as pilot of NASA’s 1966 Gemini 12 mission, and was the Lunar Module Eagle pilot on the 1969 Apollo 11 mission.

Clay Lacy
Airline captain, military aviator, experimental test pilot, air race champion, world record-setter, aerial cinematographer, and business aviation entrepreneur, Clay Lacy established Clay Lacy Aviation in 1968, the first executive jet charter company in the Western United States which is now one of the largest corporate jet providers in the country.

Si Robin
Innovator, visionary and leader, mentor, and philanthropist, Si Robin guided the aviation industry, advanced safety and technology, changed the lives of countless aspiring aviators and helped inspire the next greatest generations.

Royce Williams
A recipient of the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Royce Williams is a national hero. On November 18, 1952, out manned and piloting what most consider an inferior aircraft to the Mig-15, Williams engaged seven Migs alone for 35 minutes, shooting down four of them in a legendary display of dogfighting skill and bravery.

Schedule of Events:

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For sponsorship information, contact Michelle Wiseman at mwiseman@sdasm.org or by calling (619) 234-8291, Ext. 109

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