The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame has announced the selection of five new members for induction to the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame during the 5th Annual Induction Ceremony and Gala to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2003.

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors Texans who have made outstanding contributions to the development, growth, or preservation of aviation. The Class of 2003 inductees are:  Gordon M. Bethune, Chairman and CEO Continental Airlines, Inc.; Archie G. Donahue, a World War II fighter pilot with 215 combat missions and 14 aerial victories; Deborah Jean Rihn-Harvey (seen below), the longest standing member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team, currently in her 21st season; Dr. Leo Windecker, developer of the world’s first FAA certified all-composite airplane, the Windecker Eagle; and John W. Young, the first person to fly six times in space, working aboard missions from Gemini III in 1965, to the first Spacelab flight in 1983.  In 1972, Young flew to the moon on Apollo XVI. All inductees are scheduled to appear at the ceremony.

With the addition of these individuals, the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors 44 outstanding men and women who have made significant contributions to aviation. A partial list of previous inductees includes Dr. “Red” Duke, founder of Hermann Life Flight, Mr. Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines, Brigadier General David Lee (Tex) Hill, commander of the Panda Bear Squadron of the Flying Tigers, astronauts Alan Bean and Gene Cernan, Bessie Coleman, the first woman to earn an International Aviation License and the world's first licensed black aviator, Mr. Howard Hughes, aircraft designer and aviation pioneer, and the thirteen Texans of Doolittle’s Tokyo Raiders.

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 1997 by the 74th Texas Legislature through a concurrent resolution signed by then Gov. George W. Bush. The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is also home to the Lone Star Flight Museum, which boasts an award-winning collection of 34 historically significant aircraft and over 11,000 artifacts housed in the 100,000 square foot, air-conditioned facility. 

Following the Induction Ceremony and Gala, the Lone Star Flight Museum will host an end-of-season Fly Day on Sunday, November 9, 2003. This informal flying event will feature vintage aircraft from the Lone Star Flight Museum collection and other aircraft from the area as we salute our veterans.  Flying will begin at noon and continue until 3:00 PM. Throughout the day, visitors can tour the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and view exhibits honoring the five new inductees. 

Fly Day Admission is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children, with children 4 and under admitted free. No special passes or coupons will be accepted.  The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is located on Galveston’s west end next to Moody Gardens at the Galveston International Airport at Scholes Field. 

FMI: www.lsfm.org