The First Flight Society announced today that Frank Caldwell, has been named the 2020 Honoree to be inducted into the Dr. Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine located in the Museum and Visitors Center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA.
This honor is selected annually by a high-level panel appointed by the First Flight Society, from among
numerous nominations submitted from around the world as well as compiled lists of qualified candidates. The induction ceremony will be held on Wright Brothers Day, December 17, 2020, with a celebration banquet held on December 16, 2020 in Kitty Hawk. A portrait of Frank Caldwell will be unveiled and presented at the ceremony on December 17th, 2020, celebrating the 117th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.
Mr. Caldwell’s many contributions to aviation in propeller technology highlighted by his winning with
Hamilton Standard the 1933 Collier Trophy for design of the controllable-pitch propeller. His design
innovations led to the Hydromatic constant-speed propeller used by virtually every frontline US aircraft in WWII, and his pioneering whirl test procedures were indispensable to the development of all modern high-performance propellers during the 20th Century.
“Frank Caldwell’s achievements in aviation and aviation education – and a “First” in many areas of aviation is extraordinary and outstanding. The First Flight Society is honored to have Frank Caldwell as the 2020 Dr. Paul E. Garber Shrine Inductee”, says First Flight Society President Mike Fonseca.
William Douglas, Chairman of the First Flight Society’s National Advisory Committee, served as Chair of the Dr. Paul E. Garber Shrine Selection Panel and managed the selection process.
FFS also welcomes Colonel Gail Halverson aka “Candy Bomber” and Brigadier General Charles McGee as Honorary Members. Both gentlemen were Paul Garber honorees in the past. Col Halvorsen was inducted in 2019 and General McGee as a Tuskegee Airman in 2004.