Each spring since 1989, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame has hosted an induction banquet, which has been attended by members of the Minnesota aviation community along with the inductees' families and friends.
Save The Date
Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Mystic Lake Center
2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN
Our 2025 Inductees
The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame proudly announces its 2025 inductees, celebrating a distinguished group of aviators and aerospace pioneers whose contributions have significantly shaped Minnesota's rich aviation heritage. This year's honorees include accomplished pilots, aviation advocates, and visionary leaders whose dedication and achievements have left an indelible mark on the field of aviation. The Class of 2025 inductees are:
Join us in honoring these trailblazers at our annual induction ceremony, where we celebrate their remarkable legacies and the enduring impact of their work on the future of aviation.
Banquet Details
Saturday, April 12, 2025
The Mystic Lake Center, Minnetonka Ballroom,
2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake, MN 55372.
Please check back in January for more details.
2025 Inductees
Mark R. Baker
Born and learned to fly in Minnesota. Aircraft restorer, corporate pilot, aircraft owner; made his mark in General Aviation and was elected CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the organization that guides GA and represents General Aviation concerns before the US Congress.
Robert D. Cabana
A Minnesotan who as a Naval Aviator, managed many Navy programs and was selected as an Astronaut. He flew on four shuttle flights before being assigned to NASA office. He served as Director of the Kennedy Space Center, Manager of the Astronaut Office and retired as NASA Associate Administrator.
Randle S. Corfman
Born in Kansas, Corfman earned degrees in Obstetrics and Gynecology, moving to Minnesota in 1989. He administered flight physicals and established the Center for Reproductive Health in Minneapolis. He lectures and writes on related topics. He helped create and has led the Minnesota Pilots Association since 2013.
James C. Goodall
Goodall came to Minnesota in 1971 after ten years active duty with the US Air Force. As a MN Air Guard member, he helped start the MN Air Guard Museum, worked on restoring display aircraft and was solely responsible for acquiring the A-12 (SR-71) for the museum display. He has written 29 books on stealth aircraft and modern submarines.
Clarence J. Krotz
Came to Minnesota after serving in the Air Corps in WWII. He purchased a fishing lodge in Grand Marais and had the property licensed as an airport. It became the official Grand Marais Municipal Airport. He served on the airport Commission and for his service building the airport into one of Minnesota’s finest, it is named after him.
Amanda Lee
A native Minnesotan, she was a high school athlete and enlisted in the Navy after attending the U of M, Duluth. Trained in the F/A-18 she served two combat deployments, and became an instructor pilot. She was selected to fly as a member of the Blue Angels team, the first female chosen. In her Navy career, she made 225 arrested carrier landings and earned four Navy Achievement Medals.
Pioneer Nick Mamer
A Hastings, MN native, Mamer enlisted in the Army Air Service in 1916, served in WWI, credited with downing three German aircraft. He participated in the 1927 National Air Derby, held a record in 1929 for a non-stop flight from Spokane to New York and return, refueling in the air over five days aloft. He started his own airline, Mamer Air Transport, which was bought by Northwest Airlines, which held him on the payroll.
Additional Award
In addition to our Class of 2025 Inductees, the award for the Minnesota Aviation Writing Award will be given to LT COL (Ret) Lowell Ueland, BRIG GEN Greg Haase, TECH SGT Amy Lovgren, CHIEF MASTER SGT Kristin Von Eschen, CHIEF MASTER SGT (Ret) Bruce Graham for their team writing of “Century in the Sky: A Rich History of the 133rd Airlift Wing”
Sponsors
Flywise Aviation
Wings Of The North
Delta
Airport Foundation
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Cirrus Aircraft
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