CARMEL, INDIANA — The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2021, which includes airline icons, air racers, flight instructors, and a World War II combat veteran, and a WASP.
“These outstanding individuals have made significant and enduring contributions to the history of aviation and aerospace in Indiana, the nation, or the world through achievement, leadership, exceptional service, innovation, or entrepreneurial spirit,” officials noted.
The 2021 Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame Honorees are:
- J. George Mikelsons, pilot, founder and chairman of ATA Airlines
- Clarence “Cap” Cornish, veteran, air racer, aerobatic pilot, Oldest Active pilot 1997-2003
- Daniel Orcutt, director and developer of the Indianapolis International Airport
- R.M. “Mitch” Grundman, educator, flight instructor, Purdue professor, FAA examiner
- Charles Debow, pioneering Tuskegee Airman, World War II combat veteran, educator
- Margaret Ringenberg, World War II veteran Women’s Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), air racer, flight instructor, 40,000-hour pilot
- Charles Holleman, educator, Purdue professor, Chairman, Professional Pilot Program
- Gordan Graham, pilot, broadcaster, and promoter of general aviation in Indiana.
The honorees will be inducted at the Hall of Fame Honors Banquet Oct. 1, 2021, in Carmel, Indiana. Their induction and membership will be commemorated with a permanent Hall of Fame display plaque along with a personal medallion and award.
This class of inductees are certainly worthy. I commend the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame on these notable achievers!
I would like to offer a candidate for next years class, that being Lowell Farrand of Ligonier, Indiana. A few highlights of Lowell’s aviation accomplishments include bring first to pilot a controllable parachute and powered parachute as part of Notre Dame Aeronautical Engineering Department’s development operations. An EAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) for the FAA, having signed-off on over 600 experimental class aircraft, has flown numerous young people as part of EAA’s Young Eagles initiative. His book “God, Me, and Those Flying machines”, available on Anazon, chronicles much of his life’s aviation experiences. A 45 minute YouTube video of Lowell sharing some of his experiences is available. If someone representative of the best of general aviation can be included in your next class I would like to nominate Lowell Farrand.
Please submit this to http://www.inahof.org/nominations. Download the form and fill in as much as possible then upload – questions. [email protected].
So pleased that Margaret Ringenberg is being inducted into the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame.
A wonderful person and VERY deserving pilot.
Having amassed 40,000 hours of flight time, her aeronautical career took her around the world as well into many accomplishments covering the realm of aviation venues.
Ann Holtgren Pellegreno
Hope you can make the banquet! 1 October in Indianapolis. Go to http://www.inahof.org for details.