ZIONSVILLE, INDIANA, March 8, 2025 – Aviation leaders from the Indianapolis Airport Authority and the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame gathered on February 19, 2025 to dedicate a new exhibit at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) that honors and tells the rich history of Hoosiers in Flight.
From the first flight at Kitty Hawk to the Apollo 11 mission, to Amelia Earhart, the Tuskegee Airmen and Rolls Royce, Hoosier natives and institutions have made pivotal contributions to mankind’s major breakthroughs and monumental moments in aviation.
“These aviation legends came from throughout Indiana to do great things that have not only enabled us to soar in the skies but to expand into the vastness of space. Hoosiers have truly been at the forefront across aviation history and are shaping its future even today.” — Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director
The new exhibit brings together the inspiring stories of Indiana’s legends in aviation highlighting their influences and achievements, including:
- Wilbur Wright, a Millville, Ind., native flew the first airplane flight in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
- Margaret Hamilton, a Paoli, Ind., native invented software engineering and wrote the code for the Apollo 11 mission, helping to put Neil Armstrong on the moon in 1969
- Abe Silverstein, a Terre Haute, Ind., native known as the “Father of the U.S. Space Program”, contributed to the planning and launching of the first satellite and manned space missions
- Lewis A. Jackson, an Angola, Ind., native combined his aviation skills with his education degree to become the Director of Training for the 99th Pursuit Squadron of Tuskegee Airmen during World War II
- James Allison, whose Indianapolis-based Allison Experimental Company built engines for the U.S. military, helping the nation to win both World Wars — and whose contribution continues today at Allison Transmission and Rolls-Royce
- Col. Harvey Weir Cook, a Wilkinson, Ind., native, a military hero, and the namesake of the Indianapolis International Airport campus, was instrumental in educating the public in the 1930s about the history of flight and aviation via his radio show sponsored by Pennant Syrup
- Purdue University, where in 1935, Amelia Earhart joined the staff as the “Counselor on Careers for Women” mentoring female students for four years and is credited with inspiring an uptick in the number of women drawn to the Purdue’s aeronautics engineering program
These and many more stories fill the Hoosiers in Flight exhibit, along with aviation artifacts, designs and achievements in aviation engineering. The exhibit is located in the Baggage Claim area near Carousel 3.
Honoring Inductees — Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame
Through this exhibit, the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame now has a physical space to honor their inductees, with the newest class being represented at today’s event. The 2024 class members are Wil Davis, Larry Gross, Worthe Holt, Jr., John Riddle, Edmond “Ed” Soliday and Joseph Allen IV. Each of the inductees has brought a Hoosier connection and significant contribution to aviation history.
“Our new inductees’ names will live among those Hoosiers who have bravely conquered the sky, and who are exemplary inspiration for generations of aviation and aerospace leaders to come.” — Dave Newill, Historian for the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame
Inductees’ names will be added each year to the Indy airport’s new Hoosiers in Flight exhibit.
“The partnership between the airport and the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame is both a longstanding and natural relationship that amplifies the amazing feats of Hoosiers in aviation, and we’re proud to have this living and breathing exhibit as part of our arts and culture focus,” said Megan Carrico, IAA senior director of public affairs.
For more information about the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame, its mission, and current members, please visit https://inahof.org. The Hall of Fame’s presentations honoring current members can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@inahof/videos.
