The National Aviation Hall of Fame honored one of general aviation’s most influential figures when it inducted Russell Meyer Jr., former chairman and CEO of Cessna, as part of this year’s class in recognition of his contribution and dedication to the general aviation industry. He joined fellow inductees Eileen Collins, Edward White and James Stewart. The last two were honored posthumously.
Meyer, who led the Wichita airframer from 1975 to 2003, was a leader in the passage of 1994’s General Aviation Revitalization Act, which limited the liability of aircraft manufacturers. “His greatest contribution was in his role as the force that re-energized America’s general aviation industry in the mid-1990s, solidifying our nation’s global leadership position,” said Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton. “That leadership translates directly today into many thousands of direct jobs across the country, and millions more that benefit from business and general aviation.”
