With the year coming to an end, the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has selected the "Class of 2012," the new members which will be enshrined into the NAHF in a ceremony next fall. Like most years in the 50-year history of the NAHF, four aviation pioneers are being honored for their contributions to aviation. These pioneers were selected by the NAHF Board of Nominations, which includes 120 air and space professionals nationwide.
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Geraldyn "Jerrie" Cobb** was the first female astronaut in 1959 and is the only woman to pass all three phases of the Mercury astronaut test. She has set several world aviation records and was awarded the Harmon International Trophy by President Nixon in 1973. In 1981 she was nominated for the Nobel Prize for her humanitarian flying around South America.
Keith Ferris founded the American Society of Aviation Artists. With more than 67 years of aviation art history behind him, Ferris has been named the "Dean of American Aviation Art." His collection includes oil paintings of airplanes, big and small, from early warbirds, World War II and Vietnam era airplanes, and modern military airplanes. Ferris has also developed designs for camouflage and high-visibility paint schemes.
Lt. Gen. Elwood R. "Pete" Quesada is being honored posthumously for his many contributions to aviation. He was instrumental in the development of aerial refueling in 1929 and served an illustrious military career where he received many awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal. General Quesada helped establish the FAA and served as its first administrator from 1958 to 1961.
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Richard T. Whitcomb** was a pioneering scientist and engineer who made it his mission to make airplanes faster and more efficient. Whitcomb's research led to the development of the supercritical airfoil, the area rule and winglets, all of contribute to significant improvements in the performance of airplanes, particularly in the transonic and supersonic speed range.
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