The Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame was created by the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society with the two-fold purpose of honoring those Virginians who have made significant and lasting contributions to aviation while preserving their stories for future generations.  Since 1978 The Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame has been an integral part of the VAHS mission and to date has recognized 104 individuals from all areas of aviation including business, research and development, flight, maintenance, military service and government.

Nominations are encouraged and are accepted by the VAHS office at any time. These nominations are carefully reviewed by a committee of VAHS members and the nominees meeting our acceptance criteria are presented to the full Board of Directors for final approval. Those selected are honored at our annual Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame reception and dinner in November. The highlight of this grand evening is a live narrated visual biography highlighting the inductee’s achievements and contributions.

Through the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame the VAHS has been proud to recognize and honor the Virginians who have led the way in making Virginia a leader in aviation and aerospace. Please join in our mission to identify and nominate candidates for inclusion in the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.

A publishing project of the VAHS that is producing a series of books on Virginia’s aviation history, covering people, airports and events that show Virginia’s leadership in the growth and promotion of aviation.  To date the VAHS has published two books, Virginia Airports and Short Stories of Aviation: The True and Tall Tales of the Men and Women Who Lived Them. 

View our archives for all History Projects to date.

Orville Wright’s First Virginia Flight, C-7
Arlington Co., Route 50, 1.38 miles east of Rte 120 (Glebe Rd)

World’s First Passenger Flight, C-2
Arlington Co., Route 50, 1.38 miles east of Rte. 120 (Glebe Rd)

Col. Vincent W. “Squeek” Burnett, K-318
Campbell Co., Rte 24, 3.5 miles east of Rustburg

Clifton Nike Missile Site, E-98
Fairfax Co., Rte 7100, 2.93 miles north of Rte 123 (Ox Road)

Great Falls Nike Missile Site, T-46
Fairfax Co., Rte 674 (Springvale Rd) 0.1 miles south of Rte 193

Lorton Nike Missile Site, E-97
Fairfax Co., Rte 611, 0.47 miles east of Rte 123 (Ox Rd.)

Langley Field:  Creating an Air Force, WY-96
City of Hampton, Carousel Park, on Settler’s Landing Drive

Langley Field:  Discovering Aerospace, WY-97
City of Hampton, Carousel Park, on Settler’s Landing Drive

Parksley Airport, Parksley, VA
37.789, -75.665 (Northeast of Hampton, VA)

Chauncey E. Spencer, Sr., Q-6-23
Lynchburg, 1306 Pierce Street

Mother of the Wright Bros, T-5
Loudon Co., Business Rte. 7, 0.17 miles north of Rte 287, Purcellville

Flight of Richard C. Dupont, W-219
Nelson Co., I-64 (east) at first scenic overlook on Afton

Birthplace of Naval Aviation, KV-3
Norfolk, Vista Point Massey Hughes Dr. at Naval Station Norfolk

First Flight Ship to Shore, KV-1
Norfolk, Fourth St and I-64 at Visitor’s Center

Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk KV-2
Norfolk, Aircraft Tow Way near Building V52 Naval Station Norfolk

Virginia Tech Airport, I-23
Montgomery Co. at Va. Tech Airport

First Balloon Flight in Virginia, W-40
Williamsburg, located at the intersection of Richmond Road and Stadium Drive on the campus of the College of William & Mary

Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Q-4-G
Winchester, Rte 50 (Amherst St) at West Boscawen St.

Yorktown
Newport News

Wallops Flight Facility
Wallops Island

Cape Charles Air Force Station Airfield
Kiptopeke, VA 37.132, -75.957 (Northeast of Hampton, VA)