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: Marion Carl, USMC, Maj. Gen. (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.
