The Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame was founded on April 19, 1989, when Governor  Joe Frank Harris signed into law the authorization for the establishment of the  state's Aviation Hall of Fame in the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base.  Located just seven miles from I-75 in Warner Robins, GA, the museum is situated  on a beautiful 51-acre site and includes over 90 historical aircraft in its collection.

Mission 

It is the mission of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame to promote and encourage  the growth and public support of aviation within the state of Georgia by honoring aviation leaders, living and dead, whose extraordinary achievements or services  

have made outstanding and lasting contributions to aviation, perpetuating the  memory of such persons and recording their contributions and achievements  through suitable memorials. 

Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame’s 2022 Enshrinement Banquet 

When it comes to saluting Georgia’s aviation pioneers, there is no other event as  significant as the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame’s annual enshrinement  banquet. The 29th occurrence will see three Georgia aviation legends inducted  before an anticipated audience of 400 family members, friends, and admirers. This  includes not only GAHOF board members and former enshrines, but also  government, aerospace and defense industry leaders, media representatives, and  aviation enthusiasts from around the state. The evening begins with a one-hour  reception held at the hangar of Lance Toland in Griffin Georgia. Surrounded by  historic aircraft, guests will then be treated to a gourmet dinner and live  presentations to each of the three honorees. Special video productions will be  featured in this year’s enshrinement ceremony. The 2022 inductees are: 

Janet Harmon Bragg 

Janet Harmon Bragg was born in Griffin, Georgia on March 24, 1907. She died in  blue Island, Illinois on April 11, 1993, after living in both Chicago, Illinois and  Tucson, Arizona for many years. In 1943, Mrs. Bragg was the first African  American woman to receive a commercial pilot’s license. Repeatedly denied  opportunities and licensure not based on her lack of education, skills, or ability, but  because of her gender and race, Mrs. Bragg nevertheless persevered and excelled in  several professions and vocations. As a young girl, Janet Harmon was educated in  segregated schools in Griffin and in Fort Valley at the Fort Valley high and  Industrial School. After high school graduation, she attended Spelman Seminary  where she studied nursing. She returned to Griffin and practiced nursing at the  Griffin hospital for a brief period. Eventually, Harmon moved to Illinois during the  Great Depression. In Chicago, she found nursing jobs and other temporary  employment. A stable position as a healthcare inspector for an insurance company 

provided the opportunity to pursue a childhood dream: to fly. This steady income  financed her aeronautic education, purchase of eventually three aircraft, and  allowed her to support the construction of an airstrip and the industry needs of her  fellow flying enthusiasts in the Challenger Air Pilots’ Association. In her autobiography, Bragg stated that she always enjoyed birdwatching and  marveled at the aerodynamics of birds. Living in Chicago, she saw a billboard  advertising educational programs at the Aeronautical University, formerly the  Curtiss-Wright Flying Services. The billboard read: “Bird can fly, why don’t you?”  and evoked her childhood dream. She enrolled in the evening school program in  1933 while working as a Registered Nurse during the day. She earned her private  pilot’s license and managed to save enough money to purchase a plane for $500  and, with her fellow students, physically built an airfield in Robbins, Illinois.  During World War II she attempted to join the WASPs but was denied because of  her race. She attended the Tuskegee African American pilot training initially denied  a commercial license because she was female. Persevering, she eventually received  her commercial pilot’s license in 1943 in Illinois. Ms. Bragg promoted aviation  education in many arenas, including the Civilian Pilot Training Programs at  historically black colleges, and was politically active in the promotion of African  American aviation education in the US Army Air Corps. She remained an actively  licensed pilot for thirty-five years and logged over 2000 flying hours.  Janet Harmon Bragg was enshrined in the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in the  year 2000 when her adoptive state recognized her accomplishments. Honored in  1985 by the Bishop Wright Aviation Industry award, she received a certificate of  appreciation from the U.S. Department of Transportation, honors from the Federal  Aviation Administration, and recognition by the Women in Aviation International  organization as one of the one hundred most influential women in the Aviation and  Aerospace industry. Janet Harmon Bragg, a Georgia native, a female aviation  pioneer, and a trailblazer for future pilots, is inspiring as one of Georgia’s aviation  greats. 

Patrick J. Finneran, Jr 

Patrick J. Finneran, Jr. Lt. Col, USMC (Ret) is the President of Accelerated  Performance Solutions LLC, a management consulting company in Newnan  Georgia. He also serves as a director of JURA LLC a private holding company. As  a proud resident of Georgia since 2012, he is also active in the Coweta County  Chamber of Commerce, an instructor in West Georgia University’s continuing  education program, and a member of St. George Parish finance council. He is 

married to Dr. Pamela Johnson who has been a resident of Newnan since 1995 and  who is the majority owner of Dogwood Veterinary Hospital and Laser Center.  Pat’s love for aviation began as a child in Pensacola Florida watching the Blue  Angels perform. His dream of flying came true as a college student in the Naval  ROTC where he qualified for the Navy’s Flight Indoctrination Program and was  presented the North American Aviator Award as the top student in 1967. Following his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 and his  completion of basic infantry officer training he was selected for the Naval Aviation  Training Command and received his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in June 1969  as the class honor man. In June 1970 he was assigned to Marine All Weather Attack  Squadron 225, First Marine Aircraft Wing , Republic of Vietnam for combat  operations in Vietnam and Laos. Pat flew 80 missions for 125 combat hours in the  A6 Intruder and UH1E helicopter. He ended his combat tour with the 3rd Marine  Amphibious Brigade as the Aide de Camp to the commanding General.  Following Vietnam, Pat served as a flight instructor at NAS Pensacola Florida  where he was selected as the instructor of the year in 1973. He then served in a  variety of operational and staff positions. During his career he had five operational  overseas deployments. He was an honor graduate of the Marine Corps Basic  School and the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Command and Staff College and is a graduate of the  National War College. Pat has over 2000 accident free hours in 15 different military  aircraft including the TAV8B Harrier and the Royal Norwegian F16B. Pat retired  from the Marine Corps in 1987 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His military  decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service medal with Gold Star,  Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and Gold Star, Navy  Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Navy Arctic Service  Ribbon. 

In July 2009 Pat became President and CEO of Sabreliner Corporation which  specialized in the maintenance, modification and overhaul of military and  commercial aircraft. Prior to going to Sabreliner, Pat was a senior executive of the  Boeing Company. He held various leadership positions including President of  Boeing Support Systems, a $7 billion business unit that provided a full spectrum of  services to the US Military and our allies. Prior to that Pat was responsible for all  Naval Aviation Programs at Boeing and Vice President General manager of F/A 18  Programs. 

In 1999 his team was awarded the Collier Trophy for the successful  development and testing of the F/A 18 E/F Super Hornet which was completed on  time and under budget. Pat was an elected officer of the McDonnell Douglas 

Corporation prior to the merger with Boeing. His responsibilities included leading  every tactical aircraft program in McDonnell Aircraft Company.  Pat holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Masters  Degree from East Carolina and a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering (Honoris  Causa) from the University of Notre Dame. In 2004 he was awarded the Navy  League’s Prestigious Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz Award for major contributions  to the American Maritime Strength and National Security. He is a recipient of the  Distinguished Alumni Award of the Mendoza School of Business at the University  of Notre Dame.  

In 2006 he was honored by the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation  with the Most Distinguished American Award and in 2013 was awarded the  Reverend William Corby Award for significant contributions to the United States  by the University of Notre Dame.  

He is the Chairman Emeritus of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation,  Director of the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation and past Co-Chairman  of the St. Louis County Fair and Air Show. He has published articles in the Naval  Institute Proceedings and Air University Review. He has also presented papers at  the College of Performance Management and the Department of Energy Program  Manager Conference.  

Captain Donnie L Cochran 

Captain Donnie L Cochran’s significant Naval Aviation Achievements and national  honor: In September 1985, after a very competitive selection process, Captain  Cochran was selected as the first African American pilot to fly with the United  States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, The Blue Angels in their 40-year  history. In 1986 Captain Cochran flew the number three jet and was the last blue  Angels team to fly the A-4F Skyhawk. In 1987, Captain Cochran flew the number  three jet, and was the first Blue Angel team to fly the F-18 in a blue Angels  airshow. In 1988, Captain Cochran transitioned to the slot pilot position flying the  number four jet. 

Following the completion of his tour as a Blue Angels Pilot, Captain Cochran was  recognized by Career Communications Group as the 1989 Black Engineer of the  Year. This extraordinary achievement recognized the significant contributions  Captain Cochran made as a Blue Angels Pilot and to the Engineering field. In  addition, Captain Cochran distinguished performance and highly visible position  inspired a whole generation of pilots and engineers for what is possible through  maintaining a positive and engaging attitude, a character that is second to none,  dedication and enthusiasm for what you desire in life.

In August 1994, Captain Cochran was again selected as the first African American  commanding officer and Flight Leader for the United States Navy’s Flight  Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels. Captain Cochran had the unique honor  of flying three of the six flying positions as a Blue Angels pilot and flight leader.  Captain Cochran made significant contributions to the United States Navy, United  States Armed Forces Recruiting and by inspiring pride and honor in the citizens of  the Country by flying over three hundred fifty airshows and practice airshows  throughout the United States and Canada. 

On August 25, 2015, Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal renamed the recently closed  Pelham Detention Center to the Donnie Cochran Community Center in honor of  Captain Cochran’s extraordinary contributions to Naval Aviation and to the  Country in his hometown of Pelham, Georgia. Captain Cochran was also honored  for his significant achievement in his military career the honor of being in the Class  of 2016 Military Veteran Hall of Fame. 

2022 Maintenance Technician of the Year Award Robert Boehnlein 

Since coming to Georgia in 1982 as a licensed Airframe and Powerplant  mechanic (A&P) with years of part 145, 135 and 65 experience behind him  Robert has run a multitude of well-established GA shops with multiple  technicians operating under part 145, 135 & 65. He has been DOM for Lowe  Aviation, Airwork of ATL, Dallas Air-motive, Colvin Air Charter. Robert has  written three Repair Station part 145 QC manuals to 145 certifications while in GA. Robert has held an Inspection Authorization (IA)since 1983 and performed  thousands of Annuals, Major repairs and served as DOM & Chief inspector for  many phase inspection operations over the years. Robert applied for and granted a  Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) certificate by the FAA and held  it for years. Roberts latest endeavor has been the establishment of Columbus Aero  Service Inc. (CAS) Located in Columbus GA. This operation has 6 employees. Robert has trained many technicians over the years for their A&P. Robert and  CAS participate in the American Bonanza Society Annual Pilot/Owner training clinic for the last 5 years. 

These clinics give Owner/Pilots a greater and deeper understanding of the inner  working of their chosen Aircraft. Robert was also responsible for the first FAR  part 145 limited maintenance operation to be located on KCSG. In 2021 the CRS 

designated as: CASR907D was awarded to Robert by the FAA ATL FSDO.  Robert has expanded this business from simple light GA aircraft to line service for  the Airlines which fly to and from CSG and FedEx line service and maintenance.  Robert has been in the aviation maintenance business for 44 years and continues  to look for new opportunities and ways to both grow GA business. Robert also  works to Grow the field on which he operates currently KCSG. He does this through involvement with the servicing and assistance offered to all the  corporations which travel in andout of KCSG with 24hr on call service. He also  provides two annual field wide BBQ’s one in April thankingall who have helped  and continue to help and one in October which this year will be celebrating 9  years on KCSG. Robert as well involves his aircraft in the young eagles program  each month here at KCSG. 

Seating for the 2022 Annual Enshrinement Banquet is limited and by advance  reservation only. Seats are $135 per person with reserved tables for 10 guests also  available and can be purchased at 

https://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/about/banquet . Group Rates are available to  GAHOF Banquet attendees at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 1906 N Expy, Griffin,  GA 30223 Phone: (770) 233-4747. Attire is black-tie (dark suit optional) and Mess  Dress. A social gathering begins at 6PM followed by the program and dinner at  7PM. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For further information contact  Heather Turner at the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame at (478) 327-5276 or visit  www.gaaviationhalloffame.com .