Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Names Class of 2023

Each year, a Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame (MAHOF) selection committee meets to review nomination submissions and select new inductees.

Selection includes evaluation of a candidate's significant aviation contributions to Minnesota, the area of the state the individual represents, and other criteria involving career and professional contributions.

Starting this fall, the MAHOF will showcase one inductee a month in the Minnesota Flyer leading up to the organization's spring annual awards banquet.

The MAHOF Board of Directors is proud to announce six persons with highly impressive aviation careers will be inducted into its Hall of Fame next year:

WALTER FRICKE, a Vietnam veteran who created the Veterans Airlift Command, an organization that conducts formation flights for veteran funerals.

ROBERT D. HODGE, a WWII veteran and a Game Warden pilot with an extensive career in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

BARBARA MACK, a renowned Minnesota flight instructor, FAA designated aviation examiner who holds a multitude of type ratings.

JOHN J. PARKER, a WWII combat veteran with a distinguished career who served with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a Game Warden pilot.

RANDALL L. SOHN, an Air National Guard and North Central pilot, who was pivotal in establishing the Southern Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.

ROBERT D. WIPLINGER, a Minnesota aviation businessman and manufacturer of Wipline Floats, and creator of the FireBoss fire-fighting aircraft.

Details for the banquet will be posted on the Hall of Fame website at mahof.org