Robert Clarke 2015 Greg Gorak 2015 Harry Orlady Scott Alwin 5 Dan Brandenstein 4 George Hardie John P Salzer Archie1 esse_airventure_2005 John Kaminski Carl Guell 1992 Chuck Swain 2021 brabazon_hs_1950s brennand_pitts_special_1951 Bill Amorde1 Collin Ferris 2 1999 Official 2-Star Photo-5x-enlarged Jdorcey1 Janis Sierra John Schwister Robert Kunkel 2003 Dick Knutson 2003 Alfred M. Gorham Richard Lutz youthful Lachendro hs chaplin_army_dec1942 Richard Knobloch Timothy E Hoeksema 1995 Don Kiel Bob Lussow Charles M. Wood jeff-skiles-765x420-1 Leroy Jonas 3 Steve Shallbreck Marie Schuette 2003 Wendell McEldowney
The Wild Rose Idlewild Engine Sign
Wild Rose Airport Sign cropped

The Wild Rose Idlewild Engine Sign

40 YEARS, 40 STORIES

The tired old airplane engine is run-out and un-repairable; it sits rusting in its crate in a dark corner of your hangar. You realize you just can’t bear to send it to a scrap heap; isn’t there a way to put it to use?

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40th Annual Investiture Dinner and Ceremony
Inductee group, Dave Cabelka for Lyle Grimm, Norman Florence for Alfred Gorham, Richard Schmidt, and Jeff Skiles

40th Annual Investiture Dinner and Ceremony

JOIN US

Please join us as we honor our 2026 inductees on Saturday, October 10, 2026!

RSVP TODAY
FIF Cover Spring 2026

Spring always brings a little lift to the spirit, and this issue reflects that. Trailblazers, mentors, restorers, old friends, and new adventures—stories that show why this community is so special. From archive gems to everyday airport moments, aviation keeps connecting generations. Enjoy!

Read Forward in Flight
Stearman Smile

Collecting and Preserving Wisconsin's Aviation History

Welcome to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame, a membership organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Wisconsin aviation news and history. Learn about the men and women who are making aviation history in Wisconsin and beyond.

Become a member/supporter today so that together we can continue to honor those who advance and enhance aviation in our state. Because Wisconsin aviators need heroes, too.

Become a Member
Speaker Series

Request a Speaker

Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame speakers bring history to life through engaging, story-driven presentations. With hundreds of talks delivered over the years, our speakers tailor each presentation to fit your audience and occasion.

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Hall of Fame Inductee Map
Inductee Map

Hall of Fame Inductee Map

View all of the WAHF Hall of Fame Inductees on a 1968 Wisconsin VFR sectional.

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Leo J. Kohn Photography Collection

Digitization and Preservation Project

Leo J. Kohn Photography Collection

Digitization and Preservation Project