Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame

04/09/2026

We are excited to announce our 2026 inductees.

09/19/2025

Thank you to our 2025 Hall of Fame Sponsors! We appreciate your support!

09/19/2025

Today, we celebrate C.E. Woolman, 2025 Inductee into the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame.

Collett Everman "C. E." Woolman, born October 8, 1889, in Bloomington, Indiana, was an agricultural engineer who became a pioneer of modern aviation. In 1925 he joined Huff Daland Dusters, the world’s first aerial crop-dusting company, which was based in Monroe, Louisiana, and soon played a leading role in its transformation. Woolman organized a group of Monroe investors to purchase the company in 1928, renaming it Delta Air Service, which began scheduled passenger flights in 1929 and evolved into Delta Air Lines by 1945. Under his leadership, Delta survived the Great Depression, secured critical airmail contracts, and embraced innovations that carried it into the jet age. He served as president, CEO, and chairman, earning admiration for his vision, humility, and dedication to both his employees and passengers. Woolman’s legacy remains rooted in Monroe, where Delta’s story began, and in the values of service and innovation he instilled. He passed away on September 11, 1966, in Houston, leaving behind a company that would grow into one of the world’s leading airlines.

Tickets can still be purchased for the hall of fame induction at https://www.chennaultmuseum.org/event-details/louisiana-aviation-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2025

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the board of the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Inductees for 2025.

The Aviation Hall of Fame, which is housed in the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum located in Monroe, Louisiana, was established by the Louisiana State Legislature to memorialize and honor individuals and groups that have made extraordinary contributions to Louisiana’s abundant aeronautical history. The Hall of Fame is overseen by a twelve-member Executive Board that represents all regions of the State of Louisiana.
Our 2025 inductees represent over a century of Louisiana’s aviation history. The Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame seeks to honor these individuals and ensure that their contributions are memorialized and remembered.

09/18/2025

Today, we celebrate Lyle Panepinto, 2025 Inductee into the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame.

Lyle Lawrence Panepinto, born July 17, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, devoted his life to aviation as President of Southern Seaplane Inc., where he became one of the world’s most respected seaplane pilots and a mentor to countless aspiring aviators. His influence extended nationally through his service as Louisiana Field Director and board member of the Seaplane Pilots Association, and he was also a Designated Pilot Examiner for the FAA—one of only a handful qualified to administer Multi-Engine Seaplane checkrides. A beloved leader, teacher, and family man, Lyle’s life was tragically cut short when he passed away on April 2, 2025.

Tickets can still be purchased for the hall of fame induction at https://www.chennaultmuseum.org/event-details/louisiana-aviation-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2025

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the board of the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Inductees for 2025.

The Aviation Hall of Fame, which is housed in the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum located in Monroe, Louisiana, was established by the Louisiana State Legislature to memorialize and honor individuals and groups that have made extraordinary contributions to Louisiana’s abundant aeronautical history. The Hall of Fame is overseen by a twelve-member Executive Board that represents all regions of the State of Louisiana.
Our 2025 inductees represent over a century of Louisiana’s aviation history. The Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame seeks to honor these individuals and ensure that their contributions are memorialized and remembered.

09/17/2025

Today, we celebrate J.W. "Bill" Fornof, 2025 Inductee into the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame.

John William “Bill” Fornof was a U.S. Navy aviator and celebrated airshow pilot from Houma, Louisiana, who earned his wings in 1945 and proudly flew F8F Bearcats in dazzling aerobatic displays alongside his son. A seasoned Navy pilot whose precision flying captivated airshow audiences, he tragically lost his life in 1971 during the Quonset Point air show when metal fatigue caused the wing of his Bearcat to fail mid-performance. Bill’s legacy lives on through his fearless flying style, his influence on a generation of Louisiana aviators, and the memories of countless spectators who marveled at his low-altitude passes and daring maneuvers.

You can still purchase tickets to this event held in Alexandria, LA, Saturday, September 20th, 2PM at this link: https://www.chennaultmuseum.org/event-details/louisiana-aviation-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2025

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the board of the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Inductees for 2025.

The Aviation Hall of Fame, which is housed in the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum located in Monroe, Louisiana, was established by the Louisiana State Legislature to memorialize and honor individuals and groups that have made extraordinary contributions to Louisiana’s abundant aeronautical history. The Hall of Fame is overseen by a twelve-member Executive Board that represents all regions of the State of Louisiana.
Our 2025 inductees represent over a century of Louisiana’s aviation history. The Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame seeks to honor these individuals and ensure that their contributions are memorialized and remembered.

09/16/2025

Today we celebrate Jimmy W. Fordham, 2025 Inductee into the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame.

Inspired by his dad, Quinten Fordham, Jimmy grew up in the cockpit of a Taylorcraft and knew from childhood that flying was his dream. On his 16th birthday, he soloed in 4 different aircraft. On his 17th birthday, he earned his Private Pilot Certificate, and shortly thereafter, he earned his Instrument rating. On his 18th birthday, he earned his Commercial Pilot Certificate and later that year, Seaplane rating, Multi-Engine Certificate, and Flight Instructor Certificate. Jimmy graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in 1975 with a degree in Aviation. He worked as a Charter pilot flying Captain on Learjets before being hired by Northwest Orient Airlines in March 1984. He flew as a Captain on the B-727, DC-10 and the A-330. He retired in 2011 from Delta Airlines and began flying airshows. Currently he is flying lead pilot with the Titan Aerobatic Team and also working as a Designated Pilot Examiner. After 56 years of flying, Jimmy has logged more than 25,000 hours of flight time. In 2020, he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50 years of flying.

You can still purchase tickets to this event held in Alexandria, LA, Saturday, September 20th, 2PM at this link: https://www.chennaultmuseum.org/event-details/louisiana-aviation-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2025

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the board of the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Inductees for 2025.
The Aviation Hall of Fame, which is housed in the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum located in Monroe, Louisiana, was established by the Louisiana State Legislature to memorialize and honor individuals and groups that have made extraordinary contributions to Louisiana’s abundant aeronautical history. The Hall of Fame is overseen by a twelve-member Executive Board that represents all regions of the State of Louisiana.
Our 2025 inductees represent over a century of Louisiana’s aviation history. The Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame seeks to honor these individuals and ensure that their contributions are memorialized and remembered.

09/15/2025

Today we celebrate Marion Cole, 2025 Inductee of the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame.

Marion Cole, born on December 9, 1924, began flying as a Navy instructor during World War II and went on to perform with his brothers in the Cole Brothers Airshows from 1947 to 1957. He flew a variety of aircraft, most famously a 450-horsepower Stearman that carried him to the 1952 National Aerobatic Championship. A pioneer in aerobatics, Cole helped found the Red Devils team, later launched Marion Cole Air Shows, and in 1971—alongside Art Scholl—purchased the first Pitts S-2A models ever built. He also trained civilian pilots in advanced aerobatics and passed his passion for aviation to his sons, with Donald becoming the first to solo a Pitts S-2A. Cole safely logged more than 31,000 flight hours before his passing in 2011, leaving a legacy as one of America’s most respected aerobatic pilots.

You can still purchase tickets to this event held in Alexandria, LA, Saturday, September 20th, 2PM at this link: https://www.chennaultmuseum.org/event-details/louisiana-aviation-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2025

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the board of the Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Inductees for 2025.

The Aviation Hall of Fame, which is housed in the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum located in Monroe, Louisiana, was established by the Louisiana State Legislature to memorialize and honor individuals and groups that have made extraordinary contributions to Louisiana’s abundant aeronautical history. The Hall of Fame is overseen by a twelve-member Executive Board that represents all regions of the State of Louisiana.

Our 2025 inductees represent over a century of Louisiana’s aviation history. The Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame seeks to honor these individuals and ensure that their contributions are memorialized and remembered.

07/16/2025

05/03/2024

Announcing Today's Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee: Harry Williams

Born October 6, 1889, in Patterson, Louisiana, Harry Palmerston Williams first served as a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War I. Williams co-owned the Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation with Jimmy Wedell, and together the two aviators pioneered air racing during the Golden Age of Aviation between the World Wars. Their corporation designed and produced early monoplanes that would break numerous aviation records. After his life was claimed in a fatal plane crash in 1936, hardly a year after the deaths of the other two co-founders, his corporation was sold to Eastern Air Lines.

05/02/2024

Announcing Today's Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee: Walter Wedell

Born November 14, 1901, in Texas City, Walter Wedell, Jimmy Wedell, and their two sisters were orphaned after the early deaths of their parents. The pair was exceptionally skilled in engines, earning a living repairing cars and motorcycles. Walter was taught by his brother to fly, and the two began flying as expedition pilots constructing their own aircraft from scrapped parts. After returning from an enlistment in the Navy during World War I, Walter co-founded a factory that would design and produce numerous record-breaking aircraft with Jimmy Wedell and Harry Williams. In 1929, Walter married Henrietta Filiberto complete with flower girls and broadcasted via radio, however the entire ceremony was conducted while airborne in a plane piloted by Jimmy Wedell. Like his older brother, Walter lost his life in a plane crash in July, 1935.

05/01/2024

Announcing Today's Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee: Jimmy Wedell

Born March 31, 1900, in Texas City, Texas, Jimmy Wedell and his brother Walter Wedell found a footing in aviation after flying as expedition pilots with an aircraft they constructed from two scrapped planes. Jimmy was turned down for service in the Navy for his partial eyesight but was nonetheless employed by the Army to instruct cadet pilots. After the war, the two brothers continued their aviation career, founding an air service and a flight school in New Orleans. The pair co-founded the Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation, Louisiana’s first commercial airline, with millionaire and close friend Harry P. Williams. Wedell was killed in an aviation accident on June 24th, 1934.