International Air & Space Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2015

Distinguished Class includes pioneers and innovaters for the world's of air and space exploration

Distinguished Class includes pioneers and innovaters for the world's of air and space exploration

The San Diego Air & Space Museum held its annual Legends of Flight celebration in November, honoring new inductees into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame. Since the Hall’s inception in 1963, more than 200 of the world’s most significant aviation pilots, crew members, visionaries, inventors, aerospace engineers, businessmen, designers, spokesmen and space pioneers have received this honor. All were chosen for their significant contributions to the advancement of humankind in the field of air and space.

From L to R: Alan Mulally; Jack Pelton; George Shortley (accepting on behalf of Kenneth Friedkin); Norine Chana (for Bill Chana); Frank Pace; Marti Ferry (for Bob Ferry); Tom Cassidy; and Frederick Trapnell, Jr. (for Frederick “Trap” Trapnell).

Hall Fame Gala 2015 Highlights

This year’s celebration began with a reception where VIP guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to meet the honorees. The Distinguished Class of 2015 included: Alan Mulally, contributor on every Boeing commercial aircraft from the 727 through the 787; Bill Chana, flight test engineer for Convair and developer of “the world’s smallest plane,” the Wee Bee; Tom Cassidy, RADM, USN (Ret.) & Frank Pace, leaders of San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a defense industry leader in UAVs; Bob Ferry, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), a profound contributor to helicopter flight testing, including the Apache AH-64; Fred Trapnell, Vice Adm., USN (Ret.); the first US Navy pilot to fly jet aircraft and considered the most experience naval test aviator of his generation; the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) & The EAA Young Eagles, an international organization that has provided first flights for more than 1.9 million children; Kenneth Friedkin, founder of iconic San Diego Airline, Pacific Southwest; and Texas Congressman Sam Johnson, Col., USAF (Ret.), a decorated war hero and 29-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Alan Mulally (L) and Museum President & CEO Jim Kidrick.

“We’re especially pleased to honor this exemplary Class of 2015 because these pioneers have not only made significant contributions in air and space exploration, they’ve also become strong positive role models for today’s youth,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “Aviation and space exploration, as embodied by the honorees in the International Air & Space Hall of Fame, is a metaphor for the human pioneering spirit. We honor these legends on behalf of San Diegans, and really everyone in the world. People come from all over the globe to be at this celebration.”

Sean Tucker (L) and Jack Pelton (R) accepting on behalf of the EAA and Young Eagles.

Tom Cassidy (L) and Frank Pace with their portrait and certificates.

The Bill Chana family, with wife Norine (holding certificate) accepting on his behalf.

Marti Ferry (for Bob Ferry) with SDASM Board Member James Petranoff.

Jack Ensch accepting for Congressman Sam Johnson.

Frederick Trapnell, Jr. (at podium) and granddaughter Dana Trapnell Tibbitts (R) represented Frederick “Trap” Trapnell.

Tickets for this prestigious black-tie-optional event quickly sold out to guests eager to meet and mingle with such heroes while enjoying cocktails amid the spectacular collection of 120-plus aircraft and countless Museum artifacts. A seated three-course dinner in the Museum’s Pavilion of Flight courtyard featured a duo entrée of grilled filet and pan-roasted sea bass. The program, emceed by Mark Larson (Museum Board Member and KCBQ radio host) presented each honoree and detailed their career accomplishments.

Emcee Mark Larson.

Other guests who joined in the celebration included past International Air & Space Hall of Fame inductees and World War II veterans General Robert Cardenas, Colonel Steve Pisanos, and Bob Hoover. Also at the celebration: Jessie Knight and his wife Joye Blount; Councilmember Lorie & Eric Zapf; Susan Fleet Welsh and Everett Welsh, Sheila Fleet, Laurie Fleet, and Beth Fleet; Pete and Doris Ellsworth; Museum Board Member George Gould and wife Hѐléne; Paul Dyke, Chairman of the Board of San Diego County Ford Dealers, with his wife Michelle; Linden Blue and wife Ronnie Froman; and Bob Wilson (Wilson Air Center) who sponsored a table for military veterans.

L to R, Joye Blount, Jessie Knight, Lorie Zapf and Eric Zapf.

2015 Inductee Alan Mulally closed the evening with an inspirational speech.

The International Air & Space Hall of Fame is the most prestigious induction in the world and is composed of hundreds of air and space pioneers, engineers, inventors and innovators, along with adventurers, scientists and industry leaders. NASA Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts and Russian cosmonauts are honored in the Hall of Fame, plus famous legends such as the Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Chuck Yeager. Notable inductees include Igor Sikorsky, Wernher von Braun, Jack Northrop, William Boeing, Sr., Reuben H. Fleet, Glenn Curtiss, Walter Zable Sr., Fran Bera, Wally Schirra, Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, T. Claude Ryan, Jimmy Doolittle, Frederick Rohr, Waldo Waterman, Harrison Ford, Patty Wagstaff, the NBAA, and many others.

The mission of the Museum, which opened 50 years ago, is to preserve, inspire and educate, and to celebrate the accomplishments in air and space. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Museum’s youth educational programs. Guests were presented with complimentary one-year memberships, a commemorative print of all the honoree portraits and copies of the “San Diego Milestones: A Coming of Age Celebration” book published by the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Museum President & CEO Jim Kidrick and wife Andie.