International Air & Space Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Inductees

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider will be honored during the International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2024 event November 9. [Courtesy: Northrop Grumman/ file photo]

Some of the best and the brightest in aviation will soon be honored in San Diego when the International Air & Space Hall of Fame welcomes its 2024 inductees.

“[The class of 2024] represents the true pioneering spirit of aviation and space exploration, from the quest to travel across the globe faster, more safely and efficiently, to inventing the scientific inventions necessary to reach the moon," said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. "Achievements in aviation and space, as embodied by the honorees in the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame, directly represent the human pioneering spirit and pursuit of mankind’s future frontiers.”

Among the members of the IASHF, which was established in 1963, are the Wright brothers, pilots Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager, and Jackie Cochran, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Bill Anders, and Jim Lovell, and engineers and aircraft designers such as Igor Sikorsky, Wernher von Braun, Jack Northrop, William Boeing Sr., Reuben H. Fleet, and Glenn Curtiss.

The gala event to welcome the honorees is set for November 9 in the Edwin D. McKellar Pavilion of Flight.

This year’s honorees include:

Stephen Altemus: Altemus is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Intuitive Machines, a company that develops designs to advance both human and robotic exploration of the moon, Mars, and the planets beyond. Altemus and Intuitive Machines partnered with NASA and are a key player in the plans for a manned return to the moon.

Bell Flight: Bell has been developing helicopters since 1939. The Bell 47, also known as the MASH helicopter, is one of its more famous designs. Known for its versatility, there is hardly a television news department, medical service provider, or law enforcement agency in a large city that hasn’t used a Bell aircraft, a testament to the versatility of the rotor-wing designs. And, of course, the Bell X-1 was the vehicle that ushered in the age of supersonic flight.

Salvatore “Tory” Bruno: The president and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA) will be recognized for his leadership at the nation’s most reliable and experienced launch service provider. Since 2006, ULA has made more than 150 consecutive launches using Atlas and Delta rockets. The company is continuing its efforts with the new Vulcan rocket family that will be used for future launches.

International Council of Air Shows (ICAS): The International Council of Air Shows is the organization behind many of the aviation events that attract thousands to airports around the world. The organization was established in 1967 by airshow professionals and has evolved into a globally recognized authority on airshow safety. ICAS plays a pivotal role in advancing best practices, addressing regulatory and safety concerns, and fostering collaboration with military and civilian stakeholders, resulting in entertaining and safe events.

Katherine Johnson: The former NASA mathematician was celebrated in the 2016 biopic movie Hidden Figures. Johnson’s calculations in orbital mechanics, done on a chalkboard or with pencil and paper, were instrumental in the success of America’s first crewed spaceflights, including the Apollo moon landings. At the time there were very few women or people of color involved in the space program. Johnson, being both, often had to deal with the stereotypes to have her work recognized and accepted.

Laurans “Larry” Mendelson: In 1990, Mendelson, with the help of his sons Eric and Victor, took a small Florida-based public company, HEICO, and turned it into an international supplier for aerospace and electronics. Under their leadership, the company makes hundreds of thousands of parts and employs approximately 10,000 team members in 21 states in North America and 15 countries.

Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider: The B-21 Raider is the next generation of long-range strike bombers. Designed for endurance and stealth as well as manned and unmanned operations, the advanced aircraft is intended to be a key player in the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber fleet.

Blake Scholl: ,In 2014, Scholl wanted to make high-speed travel a reality as a means to foster deeper global connections, so he founded Boom Supersonic. Through the development of Overture, the world’s fastest commercial airliner, the company strives to create faster, more affordable, and more environmentally sustainable air travel.

The complete list of Hall of Fame members is available here.

B-21 Raider Bell Flight Boom Supersonic International Air & Space Hall of Fame International Council of Air Shows Intuitive Machines NASA Northrop Grumman San Diego San Diego Air & Space Museum United Launch Alliance

Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.