posted 12-17-2003 01:52 AM               

quote:

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First Century of Flight's 100 Aviation Heroes Named

Event organizers have announced the names of 100 Aviation Heroes as selected by the First Flight Centennial Commission's 100 Heroes Committee. The committee was asked to select individuals from the international aviation community who are diverse in gender, race, and the roles they played in the advancement of aviation. In addition, the selection criteria stated that the individual "should be characterized by ingenuity, bravery and determination: qualities that led the Wright brothers to success one century ago."

The 100 Heroes were formally announced and honored on Tuesday, December 16th during the First Flight Centennial Celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

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• Theodore Von Kármán
  
• Robert Goddard
  
• James McDonnell
  
• Charles Draper
  
• A. Scott Crossfield
  
• Hugh Dryden
  
• Colonel Yuri Gagarin
  
• John H. Glenn, Jr.
  
• Sergei Pavolovich Korolev
  
• Walter "Wally" Schirra
  
• Bernard Schriever
  
• Rear Admiral Alan B. Shepard, Jr.
  
• Wernher Von Braun
  
• Buzz Aldrin
  
• Neil Armstrong
  
• Frank Borman
  
• Michael Collins
  
• Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr.
  
• James Lovell, Jr.
  
• Thomas Stafford
  
• Valentina Tereshkova
  
• Donald "Deke" Slayton
  
• Mae Jemison
  
• Captain Bruce McCandless, II
  
• Sally Ride
  
• Eileen Collins
  
• Shannon Lucid

posted 12-17-2003 06:15 AM               

FWIW three others I would have substituted are Billy Bishop - highest scoring Allied (Canadian) ace of WW1 with 72 victories; Sir Barnes Wallis - inventor of the R100/101 airships; pioneer in geodetic construction; inventor of the "bouncing bomb" and swing-wing (variable geometry) principle; Paul McReady - pioneer in human and solar powered flight, winner of the Kremer prize - Gossamer Condor and Albatross etc.

At this time let's also not forget the predecessors of the Wrights, many of whom gave their lives in pursuit of principles which later led to the first powered flight, eg Cayley, Lilienthal, Chanute, Pilcher.

posted 12-17-2003 10:37 AM               

Anyway, a little competition: who has the largest number of autographs from the list? I have "only" 18...

posted 12-17-2003 10:40 AM               

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Originally posted by Frederic Janik:
Well, of course it was decided by Americans

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Thanks for the reminder. I had meant to post this earlier...

The 100 Heroes Selection Committee was comprised of national, regional and local aviation dignitaries and enthusiasts. They were:

General Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. General Eberhart's distinguished career includes command of the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing during Operation Desert Shield. While serving as Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan. A command pilot, General Eberhart has logged more than 4,500 flight hours in his career.

William Surles "Bill" McArthur, Jr. (Colonel, USA, Ret.). North Carolina native Col. McArthur is a NASA astronaut and Master Army Aviator with over 4500 flight hours in 39 different air/spacecraft. Retired from the Army since 2001, McArthur is currently assigned to NASA's Expedition 8 crew, a long duration flight to the International Space Station, to take place in 2003.

Tom Crouch, Senior Curator, Division of Aeronautics, National Air and Space Museum, serves as a member of the U.S. First Flight Centennial Advisory Board. He has won a number of major writing awards, including a literary prize for "The Bishop's Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright," and frequently appears on the PBS program, "Wings."

William H. "Bill" Williams, Jr., Director, Division of Aviation, N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). - Williams oversees the NCDOT division responsible for all aviation functions in the state, and has participated in the state's key aviation initiatives, including preparation and planning for the First Flight Centennial Celebration. A pilot with over 4,500 flying hours, Williams also served 28 years with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Ethel Finley, Regional Director, Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) organization. Finley began her flying career as a student at Winona State Teachers College in Winona, Minn. She joined the WASP in March 1943, and was active in numerous roles while activated. WASPs were the first women in history trained to fly military aircraft during World War II. Finley renewed her active role in the WASP organization nearly 20 years ago, including a two-year tour as president. Finley currently oversees WASP participation in air shows and special events throughout the region.

posted 12-17-2003 11:16 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Frederic Janik:
Anyway, a little competition: who has the largest number of autographs from the list? I have "only" 18...

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posted 12-18-2003 07:46 AM            

Harald

posted 11-17-2007 01:09 AM               

The first African American in space is, oddly enough, NOT on the list...even though he had a much longer and more distinguished career at NASA.

Also, I agree the inclusion of George Bush is a bit of a stretch. Take away the fame of his presidency and there is little about his aviation career to distinguish him from hundreds (if not thousands) of other military fliers with similar career accomplishments.