The Florida Air Museum at Sun ‘n Fun, in collaboration with the Florida Aviation Historical Society, will celebrate the induction of the 2009 Florida Aviation Hall of Fame inductees at a luncheon induction ceremony Friday, Dec. 11.
The 2009 Florida Aviation Hall of Fame inductees are: Capt. LeRoy Brown, a lifetime Floridian who, over seven decades, accumulated more than 35,000 flight hours as a career airline pilot and downtime crop duster and whose commitment and enthusiasm for aviation continues today as the president of the U.S. Airline Industry Museum Foundation;
Amelia Earhart, the legendary aviation pioneer and advocate who captivated the public’s fascination with the drama and promise of aviation and elevated the horizons of opportunity and promise for women; and
Commander David McCampbell, Annapolis graduate and Medal of Honor World War II Navy Ace who retired to West Palm Beach, Florida.
All three of the 2009 inductees’ photographs and biographical information will be added to the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame gallery at the museum, which is on the Sun ‘n Fun campus on Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL).
The 2009 slate of inductees was selected by the membership of the Florida Aviation Historical Society, located in St. Petersburg, by an annual membership survey. Each candidate must have made a superior contribution to the technical or practical development of aeronautics and/or space or, as a member of a military service, been responsible for unique aviation related achievement. While preferable, the candidate does not have to have made his or her contribution in Florida nor be, or have been, a resident.
The induction ceremony is open to the public. Tickets are $25. Seating is limited. Reservations and advanced ticket payment are requested by December 9. Tickets may be purchased by calling 863-644-2431 or online at FloridaAirMuseum.org.