Florida Air Museum to Host Florida Aviation Historical Society Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

FLORIDA AIR MUSEUM AT SUN ’n FUN , LAKELAND, FL.  – The Florida Air Museum (FAM) at SUN 'n FUN  will host the 9th annual induction ceremony of the Florida Aviation Historical Association (FAHS)  Hall of Fame honorees on Saturday, January 28. The 2012 inductees, selected by the FAHS Selection Committee from among nominees received from the FAHS membership are:

Nicole Passonno Stott - Tampa’s own NASA astronaut, who served as flight engineer on ISS Expedition 20 and 21 and mission specialist on STS-128.

Thomas W. Benoist (1874–1917) -  "United States" American pilot known for having started the first scheduled airline service – coincidentally between Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida – in 1914.

Willima Krusen - Civic minded Tampa resident that enjoyed a distinguished career as an airline Captain with Pan American Grace Airlines in South America, Aerovias Sud Americana and Red Carpet Airlines. He authored Flying the Andes, The Story of Pan American Grace Airways and Commercial Aviation in South America.

The three 2012 inductees join 29 current Hall of Fame honorees including Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes, General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, Jack Hunt and Kermit Weeks, celebrated on the FAHS Hall of Fame gallery wall in the Museum. Inductees are individuals who have made a superior contribution to the technical or practical development of aeronautics and/or space or have been responsible for a unique aviation related achievement.

The induction ceremony will commence at 3:00 PM on January 28.  All are welcome including members of the Florida Air Museum and the Florida Aviation Historical Society. A reception will follow the Induction Ceremony. A ticket to the Hall of Fame Induction is $30. For reservations, call (863) 644-2431 by January 26.

The Florida Air Museum on the SUN 'n FUN campus is located on the south side of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. The main entrance at 4175 Medulla Road is accessible from either West Pipkin or County Line Roads, Lakeland, FL. 

For more information please visit http://FloridaAirMuseum.org and click the Hall of Fame link.