Honoring Hoosiers Who Reached for the Skies

The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame (INAHOF) stands as a tribute to the Hoosiers who have shaped the course of aviation and aerospace history. Established in 2020, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals with Indiana ties whose achievements in flight, engineering, leadership, or innovation have had a lasting impact on the aviation industry.

A Legacy of Innovation and Courage

Indiana has played a quiet but powerful role in aviation history. From early pioneers of powered flight to modern aerospace engineers, the state has produced pilots, astronauts, inventors, and military figures who have helped define what’s possible in the sky and beyond.

The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame was created to preserve and highlight these contributions, ensuring that the stories of Indiana’s aviation leaders are remembered and shared. Each inductee represents a piece of that larger narrative—one that blends local pride with global achievement.

Celebrating a Wide Range of Contributions

INAHOF honors individuals from across the spectrum of aviation and aerospace professions, including:

• Military pilots and commanders who served in key moments of 20th and 21st century conflict.

• Test pilots and engineers who helped develop new aircraft and technologies.

• Astronauts who represented Indiana in space exploration.

• Educators and advocates who have advanced aviation knowledge and inspired future generations.

Many honorees were born or raised in Indiana, while others made the state their professional home during critical phases of their careers.

Notable Inductees

The Hall of Fame includes well-known names like Mitchell native Virgil “Gus” Grissom, one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and the second American to fly in space. It also recognizes lesser-known but equally influential figures such as Col. Harvey Weir Cook, a decorated WWI and WWII pilot and a major advocate for civil aviation, and Janet Dietrich, a pioneering female aviator with deep Indiana ties.

Each inductee's biography offers a window into a unique chapter of aviation history, connected by a common thread of determination, innovation, and Hoosier spirit.

"Hoosiers in Flight" Exhibit

Unveiled in February 2025, the "Hoosiers in Flight" exhibit is located in the Baggage Claim area near Carousel 3 at IND.This exhibit honors Indiana natives and institutions that have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace history. It features stories and achievements of notable figures such as: Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame

• Wilbur Wright, a Millville native who, along with his brother Orville, achieved the first powered flight in 1903.

• Margaret Hamilton from Paoli, who developed the onboard software for NASA's Apollo 11 mission.

• Abe Silverstein of Terre Haute, known as the "Father of the U.S. Space Program."

• Lewis A. Jackson from Angola, who served as Director of Training for the Tuskegee Airmen's 99th Pursuit Squadron during WWII.

• James Allison, founder of the Indianapolis-based Allison Experimental Company, which produced aircraft engines crucial to U.S. military efforts.

• Col. Harvey Weir Cook, a Wilkinson native and WWI flying ace, after whom the airport's terminal is named.

• Purdue University, which played a pivotal role in advancing aeronautics education and was associated with Amelia Earhart, who served as a career counselor for women there in the 1930s.

Preserving and Inspiring

At its core, the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame honors past achievements and inspires future ones. By recognizing the accomplishments of Indiana’s aviation pioneers, the organization fosters appreciation for the state’s role in aerospace history and encourages the next generation to take flight, both literally and figuratively.