Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame
Organized in 1998, the original Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame was established by OAHS to honor those aviation pioneers who deserve special recognition for their contribution to avation. Priority is given to those who hale from Oregon or made their contribution while a resident of the state.
The Society welcomes suggestions of deserving candidates who meet the criteria established for possilbe induction into this elite group. Please contact us for a candidate identification form and criteria.
Inductees to date are:
1998: John G. "Tex" Rankin (1893 – 1947)
Tex was a national air show performer and World Aerobatic Champion from 1937 until his death in an aviation accident at Klamath Falls, Oregon. He operated flight schools on the west coast and during World War II, had the largest training program in the United States. A major advocate of flight safety, his pilots were instructed in maneuvers designed to keep them out of trouble. "Jimmy" Doolittle wrote of him, "a superb pilot, a fine gentleman, and a loyal American."
2000: Dorothy Hester Stenzel (1910 – 1991)
Dorothy learned to fly at the Rankin School of Flying in Portland , and was taught aerobatics by Tex Rankin. At age nineteen, she was given a new Great Lakes trainer by the factory to demonstrate notionally on tour. She set records for women of 62 consecutive outside loops judged perfect, and , for men and women, of 56 inverted snap rolls. That record still stands at the date of her inclusion in the Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame. "Dot" operated a flight school in Cornelius, Oregon.
2001: Lee Eyerly (1892 – 1963)
Lee was an aircraft designer and builder in Salem. His Eyerly "Whiffle Hen" was an attempt to provide depression era people the means to own an airplane and fly economically. He was superintendent of the Salem Airport and operated a flying school there. Lee was appointed to the Oregon State Board of Aeronautics in the 1920's and served through 1958. He was a mechanic, inventor and designer and builder of carnival rides.
2002: Charles Langmack, Col. USAF (Ret.) (1907 – 1999)
Charlie, an Oregon aviation pioneer, soloed in 1920 when 12 years old, operated a flight school on land he rented that became the Albany Airport, barnstormed the Northwest, flew for several airlines before he was 30 and spent 35 years in the Air Force, retiring in 1967 to his grass seed farm. He trained B – 17 and B – 25 pilots including many of the famed Doolittle Raiders", and flew everything from his OX – 5 to F – 86F jet fighters.
2003: Myron "Buz" Buswell (1918 – 2005)
Buz's flying career dates to the Oregon homebuilding activity at Bernard Field in Beaverton. Often referred to as the "Beaverton Outlaws", their flying was completely legal within the licensing of plane and pilot by the State of Oregon. His flying career spanned over sixty years much of that teaching his skill to others. He operated the Lakeview Airport for 32 years. During World War II, Captain Buswell piloted B – 24J Liberators in the Pacific Theater.
2003: Kenneth Jernstedt (1917 – )
Ken flew with the American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers" destroying 12 Japanese aircraft, earning the the aviation title "Ace". He returned from China to work at Republic Aircraft as a P – 47 fighter test pilot until the end of WW II. He was carrier qualified on the USS Wasp and Hornet. Ken served in civilian life too, as an Oregon State Legislator for 24 years and Mayor of Hood River, Oregon for 4 years. The Hood River Airport has been renamed for him.
2004: Major Genenal USMC Marion Carl (Ret.) (1915 – 1998)
Marion was the Marine Corps first ace with 19 victories. He served in the pacific Theater from the beginning of WWII, and saw combat duty in Korea and Vietnam. He flew U – 2 reconnaissance missions over Red China in 1955. He was an Edwards Air Force Base test pilot achieving a world record for altitude there. He was the first Marine to quality in helicopters and the first Marine to bring a jet aboard and aircraft carrier. Roseburg Airport is dedicated in his name.
2006: George Bogardus (1914 – 1997)
George is responsible for the federal licensing category of "Experimental" aircraft. In 1947, under a special license, he assembled and flew a modified Long – Wimpy on an incredible trip from Troutdale, OR to Washington, D.C. demonstrating to the Civil Aviation Authority that homebuilt airplanes were both safe and reliable. The officials agreed and the new category became law. For the first time, pilots could legally aircraft they build themselves.
2006: Leslie Long (1889 – 1945)
Les is described as "the father of aircraft homebuilding". He designed and built a series of simple and affordable airplanes, selling the blueprints and instructions internationally. His breakthrough low wing 'Wimpy' design is recognizable throughout the sport planes flying today. He hand carved propellers under federal license and marketed them across the country. Les also manufactured the 'Harlequin' aircraft engine, a design of his own.
2006: Richard VanGrunsven (1936 – )
Dick began his first aviation part – time business of making wheel fairings at age 18. From there, he has continually been modifying and designing aircraft to be more efficient. He has become the most successful designer of homebuilt aircraft in history. His Van's RV series of aircraft comprise approximately 20 percent of the nation's single engine general aircraft fleet with over 4,700 kits completed and flying throughout the world.
2008: Phil Boyer (1940 – )
Phil is proficient in aircraft ranging from the open cockpit of his Waco to AOPA's Cessna CJ3. He is an Oregon native with 8,500 hours and an Atlantic crossing in his logbook. Phil has been the president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for 17 years. He directed the 415,000-member organaization throough passage of Federal legislation benefiting general aviation and protecting it from countless legislative challenges.
2008: Raymond E. Costello, Lt.Col. USAF (Ret.) (1920 – )
Ray is a decorated pilot and pioneer general aviation planner. He is a member of both the Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor. Ray saw combat in World War II, the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam. In addition, he flew in the Berlin Airlift. A visionary in aviation planning, Ray led the Oregon Aeronautics Division in establishing a general aviation systems plan that became the model funded and implemented by the FAA.
2010: Daniel D. Grecco (1897 – 1983)
Danny, known as "Mr. Aviation " throughout the country, was a barnstormer, a wing walker performing without safety harness or a parachute, a stunt pilot, an airframe and engine mechanic, and the first licensed helicopter mechanic in the nation. He was elected to the Columbus, Ohio National Aviation Hall of Fame. He was designated the best mechanic in the west by the Federal Aeronautic Administration in 1963.
2010: Timothy L. Talen (1945 – )
Tim is an award winning, historically correct restorer of early aircraft. His work has been recognized by the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum sponsored National Aviation Heritage Invitation Awards. In 1984, Tim instigated the successful rebirth of the Oregon Air Tours of the 1930s. He is the founder of the Oregon Antique and Classic Aircraft Club and the Oregon Aviation Historical Society.
2011: Rex T. Barber, COL. USAF (Ret.) (1917 – 2001)
Rex flew 138 WWII combat missions in the Pacific Theater and China, destroying 5(conf.), 3(prob.) aircraft and 1 enemy destroyer. From Guadalcanal with a search group, he shot down the bomber carrying the planner of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He tested the first jet fighter and later commanded the first jet fighter squadron. He flew the jet in the Bendix Trophy Race. Rex returned to his home of Culver, Oregon where he was a successful businessman, community volunteer and City Mayor.
2011: Elrey B. Jeppesen (1907 – 1996)
"Jepp" grew up in Odell, Oregon learned to fly at age 20, and became a barnstormer, instructor, and flew with Tex Rankin's Flying Circus. He was an airmail pilot and flew withVarney Airlines, Boeing Air Transport and United Airlines. Without navigation aids or charts, he began to write down airport layouts, runway lengths, obstructions, and other information in his little black loose-leaf notebook. These drawings became the world-wide Jeppesen air navigation aids that are used today.
