In a surprise announcement, the Board of Trustees of the San Diego Air & Space Museum added long-time Museum President & CEO Jim Kidrick to the International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Saturday Nov. 8. Kidrick joined the entire Class of 2025, the Goodyear Blimp, celebrating 100 years as an icon in the skies above countless cultural and historic events, Pete Bunce, former President & CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the “Flight of the Grumman Cats (Cat Flight),” legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman, and Jack Pelton, Chairman and CEO of EAA and a leader throughout the aviation community for decades.

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.

“The International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2025 represents 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,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “Achievements in aviation and space, as embodied by the honorees in the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame, directly represent the human pioneering spirit and pursuit of mankind’s future frontiers. I am honored and humbled to join the International Air & Space Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.”

The entire International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2025:

Jim and Andie Kidrick (next to his portrait) and Board Members (L to R) Chuck Niskey, Norm Walker, Peter DeSilva and Esteban Villanueva

Jim Kidrick
As President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum for 20 years, Jim Kidrick has spearheaded the remarkable transformation of the Museum into one of the premier aero-themed destination experiences in the world, and honored our Space pioneering Astronauts and Flight Directors more than any other museum in the World. The Museum is American Alliance of Museums accredited, a Smithsonian Affiliate and California’s “Official Air & Space Museum and Education Center.” Kidrick has a significant background in the aviation and the aerospace industry. He is a retired Navy Commander and fighter pilot primarily flying the A4 Skyhawk and A7E Corsair with over 4,250 accident free hours and hundreds of carrier landings flying from the decks of our Navy’s aircraft carriers, serving for 21 years.  He is also a FAA rated commercial, instrument and multi-engine pilot. Jim has exceptional special event production experience and founded the Naval Air Station Fallon Airshow in 1988 (and remains an International Council of Airshows member) and produced San Diego Bayfair, the Unlimited Hydroplane Races and Beach Festival in San Diego: which was selected as the National Race Site of the Year and Management Team of the Year three times, more than any other site in the country.  He led a team of talented engineers as Senior Program Manager for L3/Titan Corporation as a member of the company’s Defense Programs Division - Senior Leadership Team and as Director of the Electronic Combat Range, China Lake, California.  Jim continues to lead the Museum and participates in multiple, significant regional and national organizations of importance to Aviation and Space.

Chris Kostiuk (left of portrait) and the team from the Goodyear Blimp

The Goodyear Blimp’s 100th Anniversary
Woven into the fabric of America for a century through countless cultural and historic moments, Goodyear Blimps have appeared at marquee events, from the Olympics to the first Super Bowl, been featured in famous songs, movies and television shows, generated millions of dollars for charities and communities, and even aided the U.S. Military effort during WWII. Starting with the blimp Pilgrim in 1925, Goodyear Blimps have served as a public relations vehicle to drive brand awareness for the company and delight fans in communities across the country for 100 years and counting.

Former GAMA President & CEO Pete Bunce

Pete Bunce
Former President & CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Pete Bunce retired from the United States Air Force in March 2005, with his last assignment as the Director of the Air Force’s Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison. During his 26-year Air Force career, Bunce flew F-15s and A-10s, while commanding several large operational fighter units. An active pilot with more than 7,500 hours in military fighter and training aircraft as well as civil piston, turboprop, and business jet aircraft, Bunce organized the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Flyover the U.S. Capitol Mall in May 2015 where more than 50 warbirds flew down Independence Avenue, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Allies Victory in Europe.

Distinguished members of the "Flight of the Grumman Cats" (L to R, with ribbons and medals) Arthur Wolk, Alan Wright and Tom Austin.

John Ellis spoke on behalf of the "Flight of the Grumman Cats"

“Flight of the Grumman Cats”
For decades, the “Flight of the Grumman Cats or Cat Flight,” legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman, has thrilled airshow audiences across North America. Each of the Grumman “Cats” holds a unique place in American military aviation history. The F4F-3 Wildcat entered service in 1940 and had an outstanding combination of durability, maneuverability, armament, and range. The F6F Hellcat replaced the Wildcat and was designed to match the Japanese Zero fighter airplanes. The F7F Tigercat heavy fighter aircraft was the first twin-engine fighter deployed by the U.S. Navy and served from the end of World War II until 1954. The F8F Bearcat, Grumman’s last piston-engine fighter aircraft, was introduced at the end of World War II and served both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps throughout the middle part of the 20th Century. The F9F Panther, made famous in the movie, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, was Grumman’s first jet powered fighter airplane to see air-to-air combat with the US Navy in the Korean War. The carrier-capable supersonic F-14 Tomcat was an icon of Naval Aviation during the jet age, seeing service from 1974 to 2006.

EAA Chief Executive Officer Jack Pelton

Jack Pelton
A lifelong, passionate aviation enthusiast, Jack Pelton’s knowledge and experience have been valuable assets throughout the aviation community for decades. He was named EAA’s Chief Executive Officer in November 2015, formally adding those responsibilities to the Chairman of the Board role to which he was first elected in October 2012. In his role as Chairman/CEO, Pelton leads the organization’s board and staff in its mission of growing participation in aviation and inspiring people to fly, build, and further engage in flight. Pelton also is the retired chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company. In his decade at the helm, he grew Cessna into the industry leader in commercial and private aviation.

Chairman of the San Diego Air & Space Museum's Board Mark Larson served as the evening's host.

The International Air & Space Hall of Fame is the most prestigious induction of its kind 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, as well as famous legends such as the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Neil Armstrong and Amelia Earhart. Notable inductees also include Buzz Aldrin, Chuck Yeager, Igor Sikorsky, Wernher von Braun, Jack Northrop, Jackie Cochran, William Boeing, Sr., Reuben H. Fleet, Glenn Curtiss, Walter Zable Sr., Fran Bera, Wally Schirra, Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, T. Claude Ryan, Jimmy Doolittle, Bob Hoover, Ellen Ochoa, Peggy Whitson, Linden Blue, Jeff Bezos, Patty Wagstaff, and many more. See the following link: http://sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/online-exhibit-page/international-air-space-hall-of-fame.

Proceeds from the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame celebration benefit the Museum’s youth education programs.

“Inspiring kids to undertake tough science and engineering challenges is a critical first step for our future,” Kidrick said. “We must also give them the resources and impetus they need to pursue science education degrees.”