Ron Alexander to Be Inducted Posthumously Into Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame
September 27, 2018 - The late Ron Alexander, whose dedication to vintage aircraft led to unmatched efforts to preserve history and welcome a new generation to flight, will be recognized on November 8 when he is posthumously inducted into the Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame as part of EAA’s annual program lauding notable people from throughout the sport aviation community.
The induction dinner on November 8 will be held in the EAA Aviation Museum, and will also include inductees from the homebuilt and warbird aircraft areas, as well as those involved in aerobatics and ultralight flying.
Alexander, a decorated U.S. Air Force and Delta Airlines pilot, began restoring antique aircraft in the mid-1970s. He quickly branched out, as his Alexander Aeroplane Company became a major supplier of materials for both aircraft restorers and builders. In 1993, Alexander created a series of hands-on workshops where people could experience and learn the necessary skills to build and restore aircraft. This format eventually became the EAA SportAir Workshop series, which each year welcomes thousands of aviation enthusiasts at sites throughout the country.
In addition, Alexander led the development of the Peach State Aerodrome and Candler Field Museum in Williamson, Georgia. This facility not only preserves history by recreating the old Atlanta airport as it existed in the 1920s and 1930s, but has extensive youth programming to inspire and encourage young people in the world of flight.
“Ron Alexander’s gifts were not only as an aviator, but in his ability to share himself and his knowledge in a manner that brought people together to enjoy flying,” said Susan Dusenbury, president of the Vintage Aircraft Association. “It’s been said that mentoring was almost a calling for Ron, and he was ceaselessly generous with his time and spirit in so many ways.”
Alexander was also a VAA board member for many years and in 2013 was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. He died in November 2016 in an aircraft accident.
