San Diego is getting ready to look up and applaud! The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park will welcome guests from around the world on Saturday, November 21, for the annual International Air & Space Hall of Fame gala, a star-studded evening honoring the Class of 2026.
Since 1963, the Hall of Fame has honored the world’s most significant pilots, crew members, visionaries, inventors, aerospace engineers, preservationists, designers and space explorers. This year’s honorees include Dr. Mark Albrecht, distinguished aerospace executive, space policy leader and author; Nell “Mickey” Stevenson Bright, pioneering aviator and the last living Women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP) — now 105, and one of only 1,074 women to earn WASP wings during World War II; John Cudahy, leading voice in the air show industry and President and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows; Doug Matthews, accomplished aviation entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist; and Robert Rivers, distinguished NASA test pilot and Naval aviator with more than 13,000 flight hours in over 70 aircraft types.
The celebration also pays tribute to four extraordinary pioneers — Buzz Aldrin, Clay Lacy, Seymour “Si” Robin and Royce Williams — whom Museum President & CEO Jim Kidrick will honor with the Aviation Sword of Excellence. It promises to be an unforgettable night celebrating the pioneering spirit that keeps San Diego dreaming ever higher.
Photo: Ian Gratton / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
