SAN DIEGO — Officials with the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame have named the Class of 2025:
- The Goodyear Blimp, celebrating 100 years as an icon in the skies above countless cultural and historic events
- Pete Bunce, former president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association
- “Flight of the Grumman Cats,” legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman
- Jack Pelton, Chairman and CEO of the Experimental Aircraft Association
The inductees will be honored at a Nov. 8, 2025, gala.
“The International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2025 represents the true pioneering spirit of aviation exploration, from American icons in the skies over countless cultural and historic moments, to record-setting flights, legendary fighter aircraft, and groundbreaking revolutions in commercial and business aviation innovation,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “Achievements in aviation and space, as embodied by the honorees in the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame, directly represent the human pioneering spirit and pursuit of mankind’s future frontiers.”
Since 1963, the International Air & Space Hall of Fame has honored the world’s most significant pilots, crew members, visionaries, inventors, industry leading companies, aerospace engineers, aerospace industrialists, preservationists, designers, and space explorers.
The Goodyear Blimp
Woven into the fabric of America for a century through countless cultural and historic moments, Goodyear blimps have appeared at marquee events, from the Olympics to the first Super Bowl, been featured in famous songs, movies and television shows, generated millions of dollars for charities and communities, and even aided the U.S. military effort during World War II.
Starting with the blimp Pilgrim in 1925, Goodyear blimps have served as a public relations vehicle to drive brand awareness for the company and delight fans in communities across the country for 100 years and counting.
Pete Bunce
Former president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Pete Bunce retired from the United States Air Force in March 2005, with his last assignment as the Director of the Air Force’s Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison. During his 26-year Air Force career, Bunce flew F-15s and A-10s, while commanding several large operational fighter units.
An active pilot with more than 7,500 hours in military fighter and training aircraft as well as civil piston, turboprop, and business jet aircraft, he took over as president of GAMA in 2005, retiring in March 2025.
“Flight of the Cats”
Each of the Grumman “Cats” holds a unique place in American military aviation history.
The F4F-3 Wildcat entered service in 1940 and had an outstanding combination of durability, maneuverability, armament, and range.
The F6F Hellcat replaced the Wildcat and was designed to match the Japanese Zero fighter airplanes.
The F7F Tigercat heavy fighter aircraft was the first twin-engine fighter deployed by the U.S. Navy and served from the end of World War II until 1954.
The F8F Bearcat, Grumman’s last piston-engine fighter aircraft, was introduced at the end of World War II and served both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps throughout the middle part of the 20th Century.
The F9F Panther, made famous in the movie, “The Bridges at Toko-Ri,” was Grumman’s first jet powered fighter airplane to see air-to-air combat with the US Navy in the Korean War.
The carrier-capable supersonic F-14 Tomcat was an icon of Naval Aviation during the jet age, seeing service from 1974 to 2006.
Jack Pelton
Jack Pelton was named EAA’s Chief Executive Officer in November 2015, formally adding those responsibilities to the Chairman of the Board role to which he was first elected in October 2012.
In his role, Pelton leads the organization’s board and staff in its mission of growing participation in aviation and inspiring people to fly, build, and further engage in flight.
Pelton also is the retired chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company.
More than 500 national and international business, aviation, and space leaders are expected to attend the 2025 International Air & Space Hall of Fame Celebration, according to museum officials.
Tickets are available at SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org/Celebration.
Proceeds benefit the museum’s youth education programs.
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