Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame Spotlight: John H. Clarke
John H. Clarke
John H. Clarke
Inducted: 1984
Sandston, Virginia
Inducted in 1984, John H. Clarke was a founder of Aero Industries, a full-service fixed base operation serving general aviation planes at Richmond International Airport, VA.
He became involved in aviation as a welder for Beech Aircraft Corporation and came to Richmond in 1946 to open Aircraft Radio Service at Byrd Field. This company offered complete service for avionics systems.
Clarke also did significant development work on early autopilot approach couplers and electric constant speed propeller controls for Beech Bonanza aircraft.