Remembering aviators who died in 2022

Avionics innovator Geoffrey Hedrick

Geoffrey Hedrick, a pilot who created nearly 100 avionics industry patents leading to safer flying for commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft, died January 12 in Vero Beach, Florida, at age 79. Hedrick was the founder of Innovative Solutions & Support Inc. and most recently contributed to safety advances by developing autothrottle technology. The ThrustSense autothrottle system from IS&S was part of an upgrade package for Beechcraft King Airs featured in the September 2021 issue of AOPA Pilot, Turbine Edition.

Early in his career Hedrick developed technology that improved encoding altimeters. He followed up with solid-state barometric altimeter (SSBA) design improvements that dramatically increased their accuracy. In an online obituary, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said the SSBAs built for the military “became 20 times more reliable and three times more accurate than existing altimeters especially in the [Fairchild Republic] A-10 attack aircraft—one of the most demanding environments for an altimeter. That product is still sold to the US military.” His firm was also a key player in developing sensors that allowed flights with reduced vertical separation minimums in high-altitude airspace.

GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said the “aerospace industry has lost a giant” who was committed to aviation safety enhancements. Hedrick followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle who helped develop the Sperry Mk 19 gyrocompass, a device that permitted under-ice navigation of the North Pole by the USS Nautilus nuclear submarine in 1958.

Tuskegee Airman Brig. Gen. Charles McGee

Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and an American hero, died January 16 at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 102 years old.

He was best known for his leadership role with the Tuskegee Airmen, the Army Air Corps’ first African American fighter squadron. During World War II, McGee completed 136 combat missions with the Tuskegee Airmen. He also completed 100 combat missions in the Korean War, and 173 additional combat missions in the Vietnam War, amassing a 409 flight-mission total through three wars.

McGee trained in Boeing PT–17 Stearman biplanes before advancing to the North American P–51 Mustang and Curtiss P–40 Warhawk. He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2019 by piloting a Cirrus single-engine SF50 Vision Jet from Frederick, Maryland, to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where he was greeted by more than 100 U.S. Air Force personnel.

AOPA honors his life and legacy through the annual Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Aviation Inspiration Award bestowed on an aviator who best lives up to the ideals of McGee and pays it forward for generations to come.

Airshow performer Jacqueline Warda

Aerobatic pilot and airshow performer Jacqueline Warda died January 26 of complications from lung cancer, just a month after her diagnosis. Warda’s mission was to share her love of aviation with all she could. The performer told the Southwest Section of The Ninety-Nines, “Our real job is to educate and share our passion and make sure others learn about and experience what we love so much. We must help others get started down the path achieving their dreams by simply giving a ride in an airplane! It’s a small gesture but makes a [huge] impact on the lives of many.”

Warda learned to fly at age 32 and launched a solo aerobatic career in a Pitts Special. She moved up to an Extra 300 and logged 3,000 hours of flight time and 1,000 airshow performances. Warda was also a mentor, motivational speaker, and advocate for women in aviation through her involvement in female pilot organizations. Her tagline, “Ladies, it’s time to fly,” inspired thousands.

AOPA Iceland President Haraldur Diego

Haraldur Diego, president of AOPA Iceland, died after his Cessna 172 crashed at Lake Thingvallavatn, one of Iceland’s largest lakes, and a popular tourist destination, during a February sightseeing trip for three passengers from the United States, Belgium, and the Netherlands that originated from Reykjavik Airport. Diego ran Volcano Air Iceland, a popular aerial photography tour company. He was also the editor and publisher of AOPA Iceland’s magazine.

As president of AOPA Iceland, Diego, 50, was a key leader in Iceland’s vibrant GA community and represented Iceland’s interests in the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations and other venues. He was instrumental in promoting numerous events, including the founding and organization of Iceland’s annual summer fly-in at the grass strip Mulakot Airport.

AOPA President Mark Baker said he “was fortunate to know Haraldur on both a professional and personal level. He was a tireless supporter of GA in Iceland and beyond its borders, and an energetic person who threw himself 100 percent into everything he did.”

‘Berlin candy bomber’ Col. Gail Halvorsen

Pilot, humanitarian, and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen died on February 16 after a brief illness. He was 101. Halvorsen was known as “Uncle Wiggly Wings” to the starving children of Berlin during a post-World War II airlift mounted by the U.S. military to supply civilians who were caught up in a global power struggle and threatened by starvation. Halvorsen worked candy wrapped in handkerchiefs into the cargo dropped from his Douglas C–54 Skymaster.

Halvorsen’s effort began with passing two sticks of gum to children through a fence. Incredibly moved by the children’s response, Halvorsen promised he would fly over and drop enough gum for each of the children… “They would know my plane because I would wiggle the wings as I came over the airport,” Halvorsen recalled. The decorated U.S. Air Force pilot who built 8,000 hours of flight time during a distinguished military career successfully dropped 23 tons of candy to the children of his former German foes, supplying not only morsels of food but also hope to thousands.

IAC member Marianne Fox

Marianne Fox, fiancée of International Aerobatic Club President Jim Bourke, died March 3 after a crash following the loss of engine power in an Extra NG while approaching Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine, Florida. Fox was flying an Extra NG registered to Southeast Aero Sales Inc., the U.S. distributor based at the airport that sells and services the German aerobatic aircraft. Bourke bought the company in 2021.

Fox became an IAC member in 2019 and began competing in aerobatic competitions in 2020. In 2021, she placed first in Sportsman in the regional series competition in the Northwest Region. She was the owner of ReStyle Resale clothing company.

Rep. Don Young

Longtime congressional leader and GA caucus member Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who served as a “vigorous advocate” for the aviation industry during his five decades in office, died March 18 at age 88. He was remembered by aviation groups including AOPA, the National Business Aviation Association, and Helicopter Association International. Young “cared deeply about general aviation and the freedom to fly in this great country. Representing the strong spirit of aviation in Alaska, Don’s work in Congress kept our airspace open and safe,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.

Airshow performer Richard ‘Dick’ Willetts

Airshow performer Richard “Dick” Willetts, who entertained crowds with a Piper Cub comedy routine for 50 years, died June 11 at age 95. The U.S. Army Air Corps veteran from Albia, Iowa, clowned around in the yellow Cub during an airshow routine he called the Comedy Cub Capers. General Aviation News reported that Willetts was presented a Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at age 93, documenting 50 years of safe flight. 

Longest-serving AOPA Board member Robert Anderson ‘Andy’ Pew

Robert Anderson "Andy" Pew, 85, a 44-year AOPA board of trustees member, died June 25 outside of Philadelphia.

A great-grandson of the founder of Sun Oil Corp. and a leader of multiple businesses and charities, Pew was heavily involved in the Philadelphia community. He joined AOPA in 1956, became a board member in 1970, and served until 2014, making him the longest-serving board member in AOPA history. After retirement from the volunteer position, he was honored as a trustee emeritus.

Pew’s tenure on the AOPA board lasted through four different AOPA presidents. He was a champion for GA and an exemplary board member—one who knew the limitations and expectations of someone chosen to make decisions for an organization like AOPA.

Shockwave jet truck driver Chris Darnell

Longtime airshow entertainer and driver of the Shockwave Jet Truck Chris Darnell, 40, died in a high-speed accident resulting from “mechanical failure” during a performance at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow on July 2.

The custom-built race truck was powered by three J-34-48 Pratt & Whitney jet engines that produced a combined 36,000 horsepower and 21,000 pounds of thrust, which allowed it to travel at speeds of more than 300 miles per hour.

Darnell’s father, Neal Darnell, paid tribute on Facebook, writing that his son “so loved the Air Show business,” and was in return, “so well loved by everyone who knew him.”

EAA legend Tom Poberzny

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh opened on July 25 with somber news that Tom Poberezny, whose father founded the event, and who succeeded his father leading the Experimental Aircraft Association for many years, died hours before the show that he built into a world-class event began, following a brief illness.

News of Poberezny's death at age 75 arrived as AirVenture began, prompting a missing man formation and tributes from friends and colleagues who shared stories of his numerous contributions to GA and EAA. Chairman from 1989 to 2010, Poberezny succeeded his father, Paul Poberezny, in the role. Paul Poberezny and wife Audrey founded EAA together in 1953.

Longtime GA advocate Steve Hedges

GA advocate Steve Hedges died September 6. He was employed at AOPA for 18 years serving as director of media relations and as the Southern regional manager in the office of government affairs and advocacy. Hedges had a fierce passion for GA, which was reflected in his tireless airport and pilot advocacy work.

“Steve was a fighter and a gentleman with a quiet and determined passion to protect and promote general aviation,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon. “Whether it was communicating the importance of general aviation or navigating the halls of state houses and city councils, or meeting with local airport communities and residents, Steve took a collaborative approach to resolving issues, and he did it all with his signature sense of humor and humility.”

Reno air racer Aaron Hogue

The Stihl National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, ended in tragedy on September 18 when air race competitor and 2021 Rookie of the Year Aaron Hogue, 61, was killed piloting the number 29 jet, an Aero Vodochody L–29 Super Delfin, during the final Jet Gold race. Additional race events were immediately canceled.

Robinson helicopter founder Frank Robinson

Frank Robinson, the legendary designer and leader of Robinson Helicopter for nearly 40 years, died November 12 at his California home. He was 92.

Robinson grew up in Washington state during the Depression, and the pragmatism with which he approached aviation was shaped early on. After attending engineering school in Wichita, Kansas, he went to work for Cessna, and spent time at Kaman, Bell, and Hughes. He saw a market for a small, personal helicopter, and would work on the design at night and on the weekends in the family's living room. Robinson had an obsession with limiting three things—weight, cost, and complexity. These three design philosophies were his guiding principles. The two-person R22 turned out to be a massive hit in the training industry. The four-person R44 followed, and the model line grew to include the turbine R66.

The R22 is still the most popular training helicopter in the world, and the company is approaching nearly 14,000 total deliveries of its three core models.

Commemorative Air Force crewmembers

United Airlines Boeing 777 pilot and Tora Tora Tora Airshows executive officer Craig Hutain, flying a Bell P–63 Kingcobra was among six Commemorative Air Force crewmembers who died during a midair collision with the Texas Raiders Boeing B–17G Flying Fortress during the 2022 Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow at Dallas Executive Airport in Texas, November 12.

Hutain had about 34,500 hours and had flown many different warbirds, including the North American T–6 Texan and P–51 Mustang, Bell P–63 Kingcobra and P–39 Airacobra, and Curtiss P–40 Warhawk, according to the Tora website. Also killed were Terry Barker, Kevin “K5” Michels, Dan Ragan, Leonard “Len” Root, and Curtis Rowe.

AOPA collaborator, air boss John Walsh

John Walsh, well-known air boss, AOPA events collaborator, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and retired air traffic controller, died November 16. He was 64 years old. His aviation career began while serving in the Marine Corps. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earned his ATC certification, and served as a tactical air controller until his retirement almost five years later with the rank of sergeant.

After retiring, Walsh worked for the FAA and attended air traffic school in Oklahoma City, where he met his wife and air boss partner, Nan Walsh, who was also working to become an air traffic controller. Walsh went on to work for the FAA for 25 years before retiring from Tampa Tower.

Walsh and Nan also served as air boss for several AOPA Fly-Ins between 2014 and 2022. Most impressive was their involvement in AOPA’s 2016 fly-in at Bremerton, Washington, where more than 700 aircraft were all safely and cheerfully guided in by the husband-and-wife team—the highest number of fly-in aircraft of any AOPA event.

Col. Joseph Kittinger, fighter pilot, record-setter

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, who flew a balloon into the upper atmosphere and achieved 614 miles per hour in freefall testing parachutes for use by astronauts, died December 9 at age 94.

Kittinger flew 948 of his 7,679 Air Force hours in combat, and was shot down during a mission in Vietnam in May 1972, enduring nearly a year as a prisoner of war. Kittinger remained active in aviation after his retirement from the Air Force in 1978, and became the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo in a balloon in 1984.

In 2012, Kittinger helped Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner break his 52-year-old record for high-altitude freefall, serving as an advisor to the Red Bull Stratos team and guiding Baumgartner during training, and the actual jump, as the voice of mission control.