The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has named its Class of 2011, which includes the late Capt. Iven Carl Kincheloe, Jr., USAF, a Korean War double ace and record setting Jet Age test pilot hailed as “The First Man in Space;” Col. Charles Edward McGee, USAF (Ret), Tuskegee Airman and fighter pilot with 409 combat missions flown while serving in three wars; S. Harry Robertson, pilot, engineer, entrepreneur, and aviation safety pioneer recognized as “The Father of the Crashworthy Fuel System,” and the late Gen. Thomas D. White, USAF, former Chief of Staff and key Cold War architect of integrating space technology into modern defense systems.
The formal enshrinement ceremony will take place in Dayton on Saturday, July 16, 2011, where the four will join the 207 legends of flight previously honored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Often referred to as “America’s Oscar Night of Aviation,” the NAHF enshrinement celebration in July is expected to attract hundreds of industry leaders, government and defense officials, former enshrinees, and aviation enthusiasts from worldwide.
Additionally, the NAHF has annually bestowed its “Spirit of Flight” Award upon a group or organization in recognition of its achievement in advancing aviation. Founded in 1981, the award was re-named in 1988 to honor the late artist and longtime NAHF supporter, Milton Caniff, who died that year. The 2011 Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award recipient will be the US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team, in recognition of the group’s 65-year history of serving as a positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the US Navy and Marine Corps.
The award will be presented to the Blue Angels at the NAHF President’s Reception & Dinner held on Friday, July 15, 2011, at the NAHF Learning Center and the adjacent National Museum of the United States Air Force. With 2011 also marking the Centennial Anniversary of Naval Aviation, the award presentation will be followed by a blue-ribbon panel discussion featuring Navy leaders, aviators and astronauts whose careers and achievements span over 70 years of flight.
For more information: 937-256-0944, NationalAviation.org
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