This past month, AgAir Update Founder Bill Lavender was nominated to be inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.

 

According to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame website, candidates are nominated based on their “outstanding and lasting contributions to the advancement of aviation or manned space flight. Inductees are selected based on the total number of votes after their nomination.” 

 

Bill began his aviation career in 1973 and has amassed over 14,000 flight hours. In his early career, he progressed from flying banners and skydivers to active agricultural aviation flying as an operator and pilot in central Georgia until the early 2000s when he retired to focus on his publications, including AgAir Update. Bill retired from general aviation flying in 2021. During his four-decade aviation career, he has owned and operated over 15 aircraft, from AgWagons to Turbine Thrush and Barons. Bill taught his son, Graham, to fly at a very early age, continuing the family aviation tradition. 

 

Bill was inducted into the National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017. The NAAHOF is housed at the Mississippi Ag Museum in Jackson, Miss. Bill has also received the following NAAA awards:

• Richard “Dick” Reade Memorial Award (previously the Related Industry Award) in 1992.
• NAAA Falcon Club Pin in 2002.

Read more about Bill and vote before September 30th here. We’re rooting for you, Bill!