Hall of fame honors former AOPA executives
Mark Baker, Bruce Landsberg recognized for GA leadership
The National Aviation Hall of Fame will present former AOPA President Mark Baker, and former AOPA Foundation President and Air Safety Institute Executive Director Bruce Landsberg, for their "profound and lasting contributions to aviation safety, education, and pilot advocacy."
Landsberg, who retired in 2014 after 22 years of leading the nonprofit AOPA Foundation, and the Air Safety Institute, which is funded by the foundation, went on to serve as vice chairman of the NTSB. Baker served as president and CEO of AOPA from 2013 until his retirement on December 31, 2024, overseeing the association's efforts to advocate for pilots on a number of key issues, including reducing the cost of compliance with the ADS-B mandate; implementing and later expanding the BasicMed alternative to third class medical certification; and growing the pilot population through engagement with high schools, providing an aviation-based STEM curriculum created by AOPA and now deployed in more than 30,000 classrooms.
"Mark Baker and Bruce Landsberg embody the very best of aviation leadership through their lifelong dedication to advancing safety, education, and advocacy," said NAHF trustee and Awards Committee Chair Pat Waddick, in a news release. "Their contributions have strengthened the foundation of our aviation community and inspired generations of pilots."
Both men thanked the hall of fame for the recognition.
"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition alongside Bruce," said Baker. "General aviation is built on a shared commitment to safety, education, and opportunity, and I am proud to have contributed to that mission."
"This award reflects the collective efforts of so many individuals dedicated to improving aviation safety," said Landsberg. "It has been a privilege to serve a community that is committed to learning, improving, and making flight safer for everyone."
