Once-in-a-lifetime reunion of American air and space pioneers

Flight Journal, Dec 2003 by Kaplan, Ron

ON JULY 19, 2003, the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) presented a grand black-tie gala-the 2003 Pioneers of Flight Homecoming-to celebrate the centennial anniversary of powered flight by honoring the U.S.'s outstanding aviation heroes.

The NAHF suspended its traditional process of enshrinement for this special centennial year and instead paused to salute all 178 of its enshrinees for their pivotal roles in the first century of flight.

Twenty-two enshrinees returned to Dayton, Ohiohome of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the birthplace of aviation-for this star-studded gala that served as the most people-centric centennial celebration of the year.

Actor and pilot Harrison Ford served as emcee, as an audience of more than 2,100 witnessed an inspirational and often moving gathering at the Dayton Convention Center ballroom, site of the gala.

Among those feted onstage were Neil Armstrong, Wally Schirra, Gene Cernan, Joe Engle, Paul Poberezny, Sam Williams, Robin Olds and Scott Crossfield. The attending enshrinees represented an incredible two-thirds of the first 100 years of flight. An evening highlight was as they gathered onstage for a historic group photo at the conclusion of their respective biographical vignettes, shown on big-screen monitors placed throughout the ballroom.

Featured speakers included members of the Wright family, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and 1976 enshrinee John Glenn. The 2003 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award was presented to the State of Ohio for its contributions to the advancement of aviation.

The NAHF resumes its induction process in the early spring with the return of the annual, formal enshrinement ceremony in July 2004.

For more information, contact the NAHF at (937) 256-0944, ext. 16; www.nationalaviation.org.

-Ron Kaplan