Aviation industrialist Linden Blue has led a number of innovative aerospace companies. In the early eighties he headed Gates Learjet, overseeing development of the Lear Fan and the Beech Starship. More recently, as Vice Chairman at General Atomics, he has been responsible for development of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as second-generation nuclear reactors. Since 2001, Blue has also headed Spectrum Aeronautical LLC, involved in development of advanced composites aircraft manufacturing systems. Born in Meeker, Colorado, his family moved to Denver when he was three. Blue started flying lessons in 1955, receiving a pilot's license that December. He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1958, and is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Along with his brother Neal, Linden Blue flew throughout South America in a Piper Tri-Pacer as a correspondent for the Yale Aerial Expedition. The brothers visited Chile, Argentina and Brazil, traveling more than 22,000 miles. Their story was featured in an April 8, 1957 Life magazine article entitled "The Flying Blue Brothers." Linden Blue began a three-year commitment with the Air Force in 1961, assigned to the Strategic Air Command. After completing his military service, Blue and his brother entered the commercial real estate business in Denver. Deciding to pursue a career in aircraft manufacturing, he joined Gates Learjet, later overseeing the Gates Learjet's Tucson facility. He served as an executive with the company for five years, leaving to found Rocky Mountain Jet Center Network. The Blue Brothers acquired General Atomics in San Diego in 1986, where Linden Blue now serves as Vice Chairman. General Atomics is a world leader in high power electro magnetics, high power lasers and advanced unpiloted air vehicles. Perhaps the best known General Atomics product is the Predator UAV, a key participant in fighting the war on terror. Linden Blue has been a member of many prestigious organizations, including: Board of Overseers, Center for Naval Analysis; Board Member and Past President, Green Foundation (geophysics and planetary physics); Board member, National Parks Foundation; and Chairman of the Airports and Airways Committee, General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Inducted in 2010.
Portrait Location: Modern Jet

Induction Video