On Oct. 23, the San Diego Air & Space Museum is honoring national and international air and space legends — including Harrison Ford, the late Steve Fossett and Linden Blue — at its 47th Hall of Fame Induction and Gala Celebration, including Harrison Ford, the late Steve Fossett and others. Each honoree was selected for their historic contributions to aviation, space or aerospace innovation, according to museum officials.
The “Distinguished Class of 2010” includes: Harrison Ford, actor, pilot, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) spokesman and former chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Young Eagles program; Alan Bean, Apollo 12 astronaut, fourth of only 12 men to walk on the Moon; Joe Clark, Aviation Partners; Theodore Gildred and Theodore Edmonds Gildred, famed Friendship Flights to Ecuador; Linden Blue, General Atomics/Spectrum Aviation; Si Robin, Sensor Systems; Robert Mitchell, Northrop Grumman Corporation; and Steve Fossett, Aviation Adventurer and World Record Setter. Special Guest Gene Cernan, last man to walk on the moon, will also be there.
“We’re especially pleased to honor the Class of 2010 because these pioneers have not only pushed back the frontiers of air and space exploration, they’ve also become strong positive role models for today’s youth,” said Jim Kidrick, San Diego Air & Space Museum President and CEO. “Aviation and space exploration, as embodied by the people we honor in our Hall of Fame, is a metaphor for the American pioneering spirit. It’s a critical part of our legacy as a world innovation and technology leader. We must inspire today’s kids to tackle the tough science, technology, engineering and math challenges, which lie ahead.”
The San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame is composed of hundreds of air and space pilots, 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 flying pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Chuck Yeager. Notable inductees include Jack Northrop, William Boeing, Reuben H. Fleet, Glenn Curtiss, Walter Zable Sr., Fran Bera, Wally Schirra, Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, T. Claude Ryan, Jimmy Doolittle Jr., Frederick Rohr, and Waldo Waterman.
“Inspiring kids to undertake tough science and engineering challenges is only the first step,” Kidrick said. “We must also give them the resources they need to complete hard science education majors.” Proceeds from the evening benefit the Museum’s education programs.
For more information: 619-234-8291 or SanDiegoAirandSpace.org.
