Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Chairman visits Museum of Aviation, previews this year’s inductees

WARNER ROBINS — Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Chairman Jimmy Norton visited the Museum of Aviation last week to prepare for the 33rd annual Enshrinement Banquet on April 25.

Norton, a longtime Georgia resident, has participated in aviation since age 15. He noted that the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame has existed for over 30 years and that Zell Miller appointed him to this role.

“It’s quite an honor to be a steward for all of the outstanding people who have made contributions to aviation, and we’re the keepers of that,” he said.

Norton explained that the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame is a bit different from other Hall of Fames.

“We were established by the legislature to not only perform the mission of finding outstanding individuals or people who’ve made accomplishments for Georgia or within the State of Georgia, but we’re also the repository for [aviation] archives for the state,” he said.

Norton has visited the Museum of Aviation many times and has watched it grow over the years. He recalled that the Eagle Building served as the main structure in the past, and that over time, the Nugteran Hangar and the Century of Flight Hangar expanded the campus. He described their World War II exhibit as unlike anything he’d ever seen.

“The Museum [of Aviation] is the second largest Air Force museum in the entire nation second only to Wright-Patterson,” he said. “I’m there quite often as we prepare for our gala every year, and we’re looking forward to having that in our Century of Flight Hangar.”

The impact of aviation on Georgia is monumental. Norton said its economic effects are staggering and it creates many jobs.

“A lot of things that go on in aviation in Georgia have ripples throughout the world, and it’s all encompassing too,’ he said. “Aviation is often an undersung component of our lives that everybody benefits from.”

Norton also previewed the 2026 Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame inductees. These include: Commander Frank J. Weisser, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Lieutenant Colonel Frank “LTC” Scoggins, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) and Clarence Greer Parramore, former Delta Airlines Captain and FAA Inspector.

Weisser is a Blue Angels Pilot who was also the stunt pilot for the movie: Top Gun Maverick. Scoggins is a two-time Flying Cross Recipient who has earned the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

He said these men were chosen by their Board of Electors because they present a slate of candidates they consider fit for the Hall of Fame.

“Our Board of Electors number over 300 people, which have some tie or knowledge of aviation, and our nomination committee simply presents a slate every year which is decided on by fellow Georgians,” he said.

These stalwarts of aviation in Georgia will join the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame at the 33rd annual Enshrinement Banquet. Norton noted that attendees can dine under the aircraft while viewing the inductees’ stories.

“It’s a splendid evening and always enjoyable,” he said. “We love our relationship with the museum and the Museum Foundation, and we encourage people to see our display at the Century of Flight Hangar.”