Larry and Jean Waltrip Inducted: 2001 • Williamsburg, Virginia Inducted in 2001, Larry and Jean Waltrip of Williamsburg became the first husband and wife team to be inducted into the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society’s Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1967 they began construction and the process to obtain State and Federal permits for a
Hello Neighbors, On Friday, Virginia Governor Glenn Younkin announced that he has named Randy Burdette as the Chairman of the Virginia Aviation Board. Members of the Virginia Aviation Board are appointed by the Governor to represent the seven defined geographic areas of the Commonwealth. The Board is responsible for publicizing and monitoring policies and programs
The idea for the society was fostered by Morton W. Lester, a well-known Virginia aviation enthusiast from Martinsville, who saw the need to preserve and display rapidly disappearing aviation artifacts in Virginia.
Lester soon found other Virginians who shared his vision to establish a Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society. On Nov. 30, 1977, that vision became a reality when the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society was launched by a group of interested Virginia citizens.
The Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame was created to commemorate and preserve outstanding aviation contributions made in Virginia or by Virginians. Each year, the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society Board of Directors selects one or more individuals for recognition and induction into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.
Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame Member
Kenneth R. “Dick” Yenni
Inducted: 2011
The VAHS is committed to preserving aviation history and educating the general public of the many contributions Virginia has made and is making to the development of aviation and aerospace.
Support the VAHS with a donation, membership or volunteering.
The 2022 Annual Fund Campaign is under way and we want to give special recognition to those who helped us reach 2021’s goal of $35,000. Every dollar is appreciated!
Help the VAHS in preserving Virginia’s Aviation History to inspire and capture the imagination by connecting people with the story of air and space in Virginia. The annual fund donation provides an opportunity to give special recognition in the “Virginia Eagles” newsletter for those gifts of $100 or more. Corporate matching gifts count toward your total annual contribution.
Thank you to these folks who donated over $100 in 2022: Don Serio, Chris Johnson, Mark Sternheimer, Dean Gould, Harold Case, Joe Hoyle, Willard Bischoff, Earl Andrews, Morton Thalhimer, Norman Crabill, Dutch Rauch, Gary and Marie Allen, Judge William Shelton, Robert and Page Dillon
1) Suggest to your local newspaper that the VAHS can be profiled in a short article, including information on how to join the Society. All of the VAHS office contact information is located inside the front cover of this newsletter; all you have to do is pass that information along.
2) If you have a special aviation event coming up—let us know. The VAHS has attractive new materials and light-weight display banners that are easy-to-transport and set up, along with our free Hall of Fame DVD’s that are more popular than candy! Simply contact the VAHS Office Manager, Sue Baker, to give the date of your event and check on availability of the VAHS materials and display, (540) 376-3265 or vahsonline@gmail.com.
3) Gift Memberships–The VAHS is eager to reach new members to enhance and sustain our aviation history audience—our life-blood. Give a friend or student a gift membership today!
