Four New NAHF Enshrinees

Flight Journal, Dec 2004 by Kaplan, Ron

ON SATURDAY, JULY 17, THE National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) in Ohio hosted its 43rd Annual Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony at the Dayton Convention Center, where four more legends of aviation were formally enshrined. They joined the roster of 178 men and women previously honored by the Congressionally chartered NAHF, which honors America's outstanding air and space pioneers.

The Class of 2004 enshrinees consists of Apollo 8 astronaut and aerospace executive William A. Anders with enshrinee and fellow astronaut Frank Borman, presenter; America's first officially licensed female pilot, the late Harriet Quimby; the late Jack L. Ridley (whose award was accepted by his son R. Jack Ridley), with enshrinee and test pilot Chuck Yeager, presenter; and airshow headliner and three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion Patty Wagstaff with John and Martha of King of King Schools Inc., co-presenters.

Actor and pilot Dennis Quaid served as master of ceremonies to a sellout crowd of 900 guests, and Cliff Robertson, Academy Award-winning actor and pilot, also participated.

At a banquet on the previous night, the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) was honored with the NAHF's 2004 Milton Caniff "Spirit of Flight" award, presented by enshrinee Neil Armstrong, in annual recognition of a group or organization's ; accomplishments in advancing aviation.

Next year's enshrinement will be on Saturday, July 16, 2005. For more information, call (937) 256-0944 ext. 16, or visit www.nationalaviation.org.

-RonKaplan