Newest Crop of Hall of Famers Includes Martha King, Australian Pioneer, and U-2 Pilot

Women in Aviation International (WAI) has announced its upcoming crop of 2023 inductees for its International Pioneer Hall of Fame. 

These trailblazers will be honored at the 34th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, where they'll be honored with a ceremony and celebration dinner. Included in the newest group of pioneers will be Nancy Bird, the 1st Australian woman to use a commercial pilot's license. Bird was the founder of the Australian Women Pilots Association, and later went on to be an integral part of opening an aerial ambulance service in New South Wales during the 1970s. She continued to be involved in Australian aviation, later becoming the namesake of the first Airbus A380 operated by Qantas. 

Second, aviation's favorite power couple, Martha and John King, will be recognized for their commitment to helping ease the transition from civilian to aviator. The couple's long-running training courses have inducted thousands into the industry, advancing with the times as they moved from videos to all-inclusive mobile applications. The Kings have received no shortage of awards throughout their careers, even being inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, but Martha's work will be further appreciated at the WAI. 

Finally, retired Colonel Merryl Tengesdal will round out the inductees with her career flying the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. Her work continues today as a fitness trainer and motivator with her memoir, Shatter the Sky: What Going to the "Stratosphere Taught Me About Self-Worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline."

"Our 2023 inductees reflect the diversity of careers represented by our members,” says Allison McKay, WAI CEO. "For the past 30 years, WAI is proud to honor women who have carried the weight of future female aviators on their shoulders as they broke down gender barriers and proved that women could succeed and contribute to aviation in unique ways. Their accomplishments – as individuals or groups-have most certainly helped to change the face of aviation.” 

The ceremony will be held at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on February 25, 2023.

FMI: www.wai.org