1994 Pioneer Hall of Fame

Mary Feik

Mary Feik overhauled her first auto engine when she was 13 years old. She turned to airplane engines at 18 and taught aviation mechanics for the U.S. Army Air Corps. During WW II, Feik became an expert on several fighter planes, and is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development for the Air Technical Service Command. She flew more than 5,000 hours as a B-29 flight engineer, engineering observer and pilot in fighter, attack, bomber, cargo and training aircraft. Feik is a professional restorer of antique and classic aircraft and has worked at the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility.

Olive Ann Beech

Olive Ann Beech, along with her husband Walter, co-founded Beech Aircraft Company in 1932. She served as secretary-treasurer and director until 1950, when her husband died. She then took over as President and CEO of the company, and transformed the Beech Aircraft into a multimillion-dollar, international corporation. She served as chairman of the board from 1968 until 1982. She was chairman emeritus at the time of her death in 1993.

Evelyn Bryan Johnson

Evelyn Bryan Johnson received her private pilot's license in 1945, her commercial license in 1946, and her flight instructor's certificate in 1947. In 1949, she purchased half interest in Morristown (Tennessee) Flying Service and in 1962, purchased her partner's interest and became full owner and airport manager. In 1982 she sold Morristown Flying Service to devote more time to flight instructing and examinations. Johnson has been a flight instructor for 45 years. She has given flight examinations for various licenses and certificates for the FAA to more than 9,000 applicants. In 1991, she passed her 50,000th hour of logged flight time, believed to be the most ever accumulated by a woman pilot.

Jessie Woods

Jessie Woods eloped in 1928 with her husband to be, Jimmie, an shortly after he formed the Flying Aces Air Circus. They did not realize they were making aviation history as they created the longest running of America's flamboyant air circuses. For 10 years, the show continued week after week, with Jessie as the leading lady. She did it all. She stunted airplanes as a pilot, scampered about on wings, parachuted and dangled by her knees on rope ladders that swung beneath the biplanes. She was also a mechanic and later taught military pilots to fly. Woods flew with the Civil Air Patrol during WW II. She later became a commercial flight and ground instructor. In 1941, she and Jimmie leased Roddey Field, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and received governmental contracts for military flight training.