2024 MINNESOTA AVIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED
Burnsville, MN, August 1, 2023 - The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame board is proud to announce the names of the 2024 Class of Inductees. Next year they will induct seven individuals who have contributed significantly to aviation development, advancement, and promotion in Minnesota or elsewhere. Or to honor individuals who were not native to Minnesota but enhanced the aviation climate in Minnesota in their careers.
The 2024 Inductees
Paul F. Dye: Dye worked for the NASA Manned Spaceflight Program and was a Flight Director for 39 Space Shuttle Missions.
Steven R. Petrich: Petrich was a commercial airline and floatplane pilot who designed the Gear Audio Advisory System for floatplanes.
Curtis L. Brown: Brown was a U.S. Air Force pilot. NASA Astronaut and world-renowned airshow performer. He flew six Space Shuttle missions.
Cherise “Cheri” Rohlfing: Rohlfing was a Delta Airlines Captain and aviation educator. She was an adjunct professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Aviation, and was heavily involved with several aviation youth education programs throughout Minnesota.
Michael L. Schweiss: Schweiss, a private pilot and entrepreneur created the globally used bi-fold and single-piece hangar door using nylon straps and hydraulics.
William “Pat” Magie II: Magie was a Seaplane pilot, entrepreneur, and author. He accumulated over 40,000 flight hours flying 700 aircraft types while operating flying businesses, instructing, and performing rescues.
Jonathan “Max” Haynes:Haynes was an accomplished aviation photographer and artist. He worked with several aviation organizations like Veterans Airlift Command, CAF Red Tail Squadron, and the WASP community. He helped to create books to inspire young authors and illustrators.
The 2024 Induction Banquet will be held Saturday, April 20, at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN. Details and reservation forms will be available after January 1, 2024. Watch for more information about these newly named inductees on the Hall of Fame website, MAHOF.org, and our Facebook page.
Max Haynes worked with the CAF on several projects for the CAF Rise Above Program including the original design of the trailer, lots of collateral, and even a book. You can learn more about the book here.
Book Description Aim High - The Aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen is an exciting and visual look at the history of the famous black military pilots and crewman who became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The book covers all of the important planes the Airmen flew in their growth as pilots and gives readers a feel for the progress the airmen achieved in their flying skills and exploits in combat. The book is geared for readers who prefer more images, sounds and slide shows and less text. This special Supporter's Edition features an extended section of 45 pages filled with spectacular images and story about the restoration of the P-51C Mustang of the CAF Red Tail Squadron. This book is intended to raise money for the CAF Red Tail Squadron so that a school version of the book be shared for free with students all across the United States and the World. In this way, we hope to inspire young people with the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen – Aim High and Rise Above to Triumph Over Adversity.
*Information provided by the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame *
