The West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame honors pioneers and leaders in the aviation industry who have made significant contributions to the development, advancement or promotion of aviation and have close ties to the State of West Virginia.
The West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame is located in the terminal building of the North Central West Virginia Airport in Clarksburg, WV. Each inductee is honored by having a descriptive plaque praising their contributions to West Virginia aviation.
Year Inducted: 2019
Completed first solo flight on his 16th birthday
Lifelong committment to aviation in WV
Made aviation history ordering first six Embraer 120 Brasilia aircraft in the world
Operated AeroMech, an independent airline
Established KCI Aviation; FAA-certified aircraft repair station, aircraft charter, flight school, and refueling service
Helped facilitate the Bombardier West Virginia Air Center
Year Inducted: 2017
First African-American woman to desegregate the graduate program at West Virginia State (University) at the age of 18
Applied mathematical skills after graduate school and became a “computer” for the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NASA today) in the furtherance of the progression of flight
Became a valued member of the Langley Space Task Group, credited with calculating the trajectories, launch windows, and emergency back-up return paths for Project Mercury’s 1961 launch and the 1962 first American-manned orbit of the earth
Awarded the distinguished Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015
Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility opened at NASA’s Langley Research Center in 2016
Year Inducted: 2017
Completed training with the first class of Tuskegee Airmen at the Tuskegee Institute before defending our great nation in the skies
Successfully finished the first class and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1942 before becoming commander of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, making him the first African-American commander; one of three times in total he would hold this title during his career
Flew approximately 100 combat missions during World War II before resuming command of the 332nd Fighter Group in 1945
In 1950, was the first African-American Commander of a racially-integrated Air Force unit and became a jet qualified pilot before assisting in the Korean War
Awards and accolades include the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal, seven commendation medals, and two Presidential unit citations
Year Inducted: 2016
Soloed in a Curtiss JN-4D (Jenny) after just four and one half hours of flight instruction
Instructor for the US Army Signal Corps
Formed the Hinton Aero Club, barnstorming across the state, carrying passengers and thrill seekers
Captain of a group of five other aircraft pilots hired to do aerial surveillance on the miners at Blair Mountain
Established a bus line and automobile dealership in Hinton, WV
Believed to be the first registered pilot in the State of West Virginia
Year Inducted: 2016
Certified as a private in 1978
Long-time member of the WV Aeronautics Commission, established the practice of rotating Commission meetings at different airports throughout the state
Chaired a committee to procure a Fire Fighter Training Simulator for WV's commercial service airports, insuring funding for annual maintenance
Strong supporter of maintaining Commission funding for the WV Civil Air Patrol's tweleve squadrons
2014 Ritchie County DAR award for Community service, 2003 Jefferson Award for community service
Honorary graduate of the University of Hard Knocks-Alderson Broaddus University
Year Inducted: 2015
Internationally Known Aviation Record Breaker
Completed First Solo Flight at Age 26
Set Altitude Record for Aeronca C-2 at Age 27 with only 40 Solo Hours at the time
World War II Army Test Pilot
Women’s Air Force Service Pilots “WASPS”
Flight Instructor in Brazil for US Government
Flight Instructor in Jacksonville, FL
Year Inducted: 2015
P47 Fighter Mechanic, Army Air Corps
FAA Designated Aircraft Maintenance Inspector
Founded AeroMech, Inc. (first FAA radio repair station in WV) 250 employees 1951
Founded AeroMech Airlines – passenger airline serving 23 cities in 7 states 1980
Founding Member & Treasurer of the Regional Airlines Association of America
Served as Airport Manager of Benedum Airport (CKB) for 22 years
Year Inducted: 2014
Love for Aviation at Age Five in Bonanza Aircraft
Certified Flight Instructor
Holds Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate with Inspection Authority (IA)
Restored Ten Complete Rebuilt Aircraft
Talented in the Art of Recovering Fabric Aircraft
Recipient of 2010 Wilbur Wright Award
Year Inducted: 2014
US Navy Fighter Pilot – 64 Combat Missions
Became NASA Astronaut in 1979
Lead Chase Pilot - Maiden Voyage of Columbia
Piloted 1984 Mission Aboard Orbiter Challenger
Served as NASA Administrator – Dep. Director
Retired with 8,800+ Hours in Over 40 Different Types of Military and Civilian Aircraft
Year Inducted: 2014
World War II Hero – 39 Combat Missions
B-17 Pilot – 92nd Heavy Bombardment Group of Eighth Air Force
Participated in “Black Thursday” Against Germany, Norway, and Battle of the Bulge
Helped Found First WV Air National Guard Squadron
Served 30 Years as First Commander
130th Airlift Wing – Charleston Named “McLaughlin Air National Guard Base”
Year Inducted: 2014
Piloted First Aircraft Alone at Age 16
Holds Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate with Inspection Authority (IA)
World Renowned Restorer of Classic Aircraft
Recognized in Prestigious FAA Airmen Certification Database
First West Virginian to receive both Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
Year Inducted: 2014
Staunch Supporter of Aviation as Former WV Governor and US Senator
Authored Small Community Air Service Development Program Benefiting WV Airports
Leader of Essential Air Service Program Enabling Air Service at Smaller WV Airports
Author of Aviation & Transportation Security Act Leading to Creation of TSA
Chair of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation