Our Story

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is a nonprofit Minnesota corporation, recognized by the State of Minnesota as a means of honoring its pioneer and historic aviation persons in a lasting and significant way. It is a vehicle for putting their names and careers before the public so that citizens of Minnesota may become familiar with the contributions made by those who helped promote the healthy aviation climate we are so proud of today.

Purpose: To collect and maintain a biographical file on each Minnesota aviation personality from the earliest flyers and businessmen and women forward in time to those who made major contributions to postwar and current aviation. Such files include interview tapes, photos from individual collections, memorabilia and archival material such as scrapbooks, log books, papers, news clippings, ect.

Activities: Each year, the Hall of Fame Selection Panel meets to consider new candidates for induction into the Hall. Selections are made from nominations sent in by the public, and candidates determined by the panel's research. Approximately six inductees are chosen each year and the inductees are then installed at a ceremony in the spring of the following year.

The Minnesota Public Airport Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the programs and services that enhance the experience of persons traveling through or using airport facilities owned and operated by municipal and other governmental bodies within the State of Minnesota.

MPAF has funded and staffed the International Airports Travelers Assistance program with nine sites at the Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals that help nearly a million persons each year with directions, medical assistance, interpreters, and other vital human services.

The Foundation also contributes to the Armed Forces Service Center, landscaping, winter lighting of trees along the inbound/outbound roadway systems to the Minneapolis Airport, floor mosaics and children's play areas along with other artistic enhancements throughout the airport's Lindbergh Terminal. The Foundation also makes grants to aviation-related causes throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame are sincerely appreciative of the financial support provided for this year's Hall of Fame Induction Program by the Metropolitan Public Airport Foundation, and monetary grants by anonymous individuals.

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame honors an individual for the Best Aviation Writing by a Minnesotan for the Year. The writing award is given each year for a published work in the hopes of encouraging aviation writing and editorializing that enhance the positive aspect of aviation.

The Hall of Fame is also proud to sponsor a flying scholarship for a young student pilot, recognizing the responsibility to provide an educational opportunity for the generation of the future.

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to acknowledge one of Minnesota's fine aviation artists with an award each year at the annual Induction Banquet. The award was begun in 2005 and encourages Minnesota aviation artists to portray aviation in a fine arts forum.

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame was begun in 1988 at the suggestion of members of the Minnesota Office of Aeronautics, whose intention at that time was to create a Minnesota Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame.

In subsequent years, the Hall of Fame was incorporated and began a series of annual induction ceremonies to honor the inductees. Each spring since 1989, the banquet has been attended by members of the Minnesota aviation community along with the inductees' families and supporters.

Duplicates of the award plaques given to the inductees are currently on display in the passenger waiting area of the Duluth International Airport Terminal.

Minnesota Aviation History 1857-1945
As a companion the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, the Minnesota aviation history book is available. The book describes in brief form, the careers of over 350 of Minnesota's pioneer aviation personalities, in addition to providing a wealth of information about flying in the earliest years.