Diverse Group Of Supporters Provides Credibility, Neutrality In The Selection Process

A group of more than 20 aviation organizations and individuals led by a three-member Board of Directors recently established the Aviation Educator Hall of Fame (AEHOF). According to the new organization’s Charter, AEHOF’s purpose is twofold:

• The selection and recognition of qualified nominees who, through extraordinary achievement and service of either a sustained or a one-time nature, have made outstanding contributions to aviation education generally, in a specific field of endeavor, or in a niche; and,
• The public honoring of those individuals for their contributions to the development, advancement, and promotion of aviation education.

The Charter continues, “A viable, world-class Hall of Fame program transcends control by any single organization and benefits by effective and sustainable leadership and administration. Moreover, the long-term stability of such a Hall of Fame program needs the diversification afforded by a coalition of individuals and organizations sharing the collective desire to advance the program.”

Any person or group may nominate an individual for induction into AEHOF. Eligible nominees include ground, flight, and simulator instructors, pilot examiners, teachers and academicians, authors, researchers and innovators, maintenance and avionics instructors, and other aviation-education-related professionals who warrant consideration either through a body of work that demonstrates sustained superior performance, or through truly extraordinary accomplishment. Nominations for the Hall’s inaugural class of inductees are due by October 1, 2012.

Begun in 2010 as an initiative of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), the SAFE Board granted authorization to proceed with AEHOF as an independent organization in late 2011. In addition to donations from numerous Coalition Members, AEHOF received a 2011 Wolf Aviation Fund grant to help offset start-up expenses. Though currently a virtual Hall of Fame, a suitable physical home for the Hall will be considered periodically. AEHOF has applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

FMI: www.AviationEducatorHoF.org