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22ND ANNUAL INDUCTEES & HONOREES

The Living Legends of Aviation® Announce the Next Round of Inductees & Honorees for the 22nd Annual Awards - Friday, January 17, 2025


INDUCTEES 

Eileen M. Collins
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®

Eileen M. Collins, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, is celebrated as the first female pilot and commander of a NASA space shuttle. A decorated astronaut, she piloted four shuttle missions, including the 1999 deployment of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the 2005 “Return to Flight” mission. Collins has logged over 6,751 hours in 30 aircraft and 872 hours in space. A mathematics graduate from Syracuse University, she also holds advanced degrees from Stanford and Webster University. Now an aerospace consultant, author, and speaker, her book Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars inspired the recent documentary Spacewoman.

Robert "Hoot" Gibson
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®

Captain Robert "Hoot" Gibson, USN, is a decorated Navy fighter pilot, veteran astronaut, and race pilot. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, Gibson flew five space shuttle missions, including the first docking with the Russian Space Station Mir in 1995. His aviation career spans over 14,000 flight hours in 160+ aircraft. As a Reno Air Race champion, airline pilot, and astronaut, Gibson’s accolades include the Distinguished Flying Cross and induction into both the Astronaut and National Aviation Halls of Fame.

 
Chris Cassidy
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®

Captain Chris Cassidy, a former NASA astronaut and Navy SEAL, is a veteran of three spaceflights and ten spacewalks, logging 377 days in space. A Naval Academy graduate, Cassidy earned a master’s in ocean engineering from MIT. His leadership includes commanding a SEAL platoon and serving as NASA’s 14th Chief Astronaut. Cassidy’s honors include the Bronze Star with combat “V” for his service in Afghanistan.
 

Aaron Tippin
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®

While perhaps more widely known as a country music superstar, it comes as no surprise that Aaron Tippin is first and foremost an aviator. “Flying was the Tippin thing to do”, so Aaron became a student pilot at 14, soloed on his 16th birthday, became a private pilot at 17, and by 18, had his multi-engine commercial and instrument ratings. Aaron and his family established Tennessee Flying Machines at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (KSRB) in Sparta, Tenn., offering a flight school, ride/flight tours in Aaron’s fleet of vintage aircraft, maintenance, restoration and other services that share and preserve Aaron’s love for aviation.
  

HONOREES

 

The Polaris Dawn Mission Crew
Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award

It is with great honor that we announce Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon as the inaugural recipients of the Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award for their outstanding achievements with the Polaris Dawn Mission.

Their historic mission, Polaris Dawn, included cutting-edge experiments, high-altitude orbital maneuvers, and, most notably, the first private spacewalk. The team’s work has paved the way for future commercial and scientific space endeavors, laying the groundwork for humanity’s eventual journey to Mars and beyond.

 
Ronald Draper, CEO Textron Aviation
Lifetime Aviation Industry Leader Award

Ron Draper, President and CEO of Textron Aviation, has overseen the growth of Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker brands, shaping the future of aviation innovation. A West Point graduate, Draper served as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot and brings decades of leadership in aviation manufacturing and community service.
  
Randy Waldman
Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award

Randy Waldman, renowned Hollywood musician and helicopter instructor, has turned his passion for aviation into a second career. As a certified flight instructor in Southern California, he teaches across various helicopter models, blending technical mastery with artistic precision.
 
  

Lieutenant Commander Amanda “Stalin” Lee
Barron Hilton Aviation Inspiration Award

Lieutenant Commander Amanda Lee is a native of Mounds View, Minnesota. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician and was selected to commission as a Pilot through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. Amanda joined the Blue Angels as their first female demonstration pilot in September 2022. She has accumulated more than 1,360 flight hours and over 225 carrier-arrested landings. Her decorations include four Navy Achievement medals and various personal and unit awards.

Louis Pepper, Atlantic Aviation
Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award

Louis Pepper built Atlantic Aviation into one of the nation’s largest general aviation companies and helped redefine the concept of a World Class FBO. After relocating to Dallas, Pepper became the President of Million Air and the owner of the Million Air Franchise Company. Later, in the year 2000, he led the acquisition of Atlantic Aviation. Along with the company’s growth, Pepper ushered in a culture of first-class customer service, advanced safety standards, invested in mission-critical infrastructure, and supported pilots and airports through important technological advancements. Pepper served as Atlantic Aviation’s CEO until 2023 and now serves as an active member of the company’s board of directors and senior advisor to the CEO.


We are inspired by the extraordinary accomplishments of this year’s inductees and honorees. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals as we continue to honor the past, present, and future of aviation and aerospace.