Six Inductees Named to National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027

The National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027 includes six inductees, according to Aviation Week. Organizers announced the names October 19, 2026, at a reception held with the National Business Aviation Association ahead of NBAA-BACE.

Six people were named to the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027.

What has been confirmed

The source reports six inductees: J. Bob Balaram, Vernon Estes, Charles J. Precourt, Steven Udvar-Házy, Neal Vernon Loving and Judith A. Resnik. The source associates Balaram with engineering work on NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter; Estes with model rocketry; Precourt with test piloting and four space shuttle missions; Udvar-Házy with co-founding International Lease Finance Corp.; Loving with aircraft design and air racing; and Resnik with engineering, science and NASA spaceflight. The fact set rates these details as likely, rather than officially confirmed. It does not provide an official Hall of Fame announcement for independent confirmation.

Why it matters

The class brings together contributions from several fields that shape aviation and aerospace, including aircraft design, flight testing, leasing and rotorcraft engineering. Balaram’s association with Ingenuity connects the honorees’ work to powered flight beyond Earth, while Loving’s career represents a milestone in the history of air racing.

FlyMarshall context

For commercial aviation, the class’s range of experience offers a view of how the industry depends on more than airline operations. Aircraft engineers, test pilots and leasing companies all help develop, evaluate and finance the aircraft that connect passengers and businesses. The Hall of Fame’s recognition also links aviation history with current work in aerospace engineering.

What happens next

The induction ceremony is planned for September 24, 2027, in Dayton, Ohio. The fact set does not include further ceremony details or an official confirmation from the Hall of Fame.