Myron "Mike" Wilson - P-51 Pilot Tuskeegee Airman "Red Tails"
Myron “Mike” Wilson, who died in 2001 at age 85, was a Tuskegee Airman. He was awarded a Certificate of Valor for flying 47 missions in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He also flew missions at the beginning of the Korean War.
Stephanie Wilson NASA Pilot
Stephanie D. Wilson was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. A veteran of three spaceflights, STS-121 in 2006, STS‑120 in 2007 and STS-131 in 2010, Wilson has logged more than 42 days in space.
Stephanie Wilson was selected in December 2020 as one of the 18 astronauts on NASA's initial Artemis Team eligible for lunar missions.
Gill Robb Wilson - WWI Combat Aviator First CEO of the Civil Air Patrol
International Air & Space Hall of Fame (1977) Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey (1980)
AWorld War I combat aviator (flew with the French Aéronautique Militaire in Escadrille 66 and the U.S. Army Air Service), post-war barnstormer, aviation writer/publisher, and the chief architect and first Executive Officer of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
The Gill Robb Wilson Award is Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) highest award for Senior Member professional development. It recognizes senior members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP.
Dean W. Wilson - Pilot and Aircraft Designer Idaho(1935-2026)
EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame (2010) Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame (2014) National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame (2023)
Avid Flyer (1983): Wilson designed this lightweight, folding-wing STOL homebuilt kitplane to address the cumbersome assembly and transport issues of contemporary ultralights. It was an enormous commercial success—selling thousands of kits—and directly influenced the design of the Kitfox.
Wilson Global Explorer (1991): At the complete opposite end of the size spectrum, French polar explorer Hubert de Chevigny (who flew an Avid Flyer to the North Pole) commissioned Wilson to build the ultimate exploration craft. The result was a massive, twin-engine, high-wing amphibious "flying RV" spanning 67 feet. Designed to operate from water, snow, tarmac, or rough dirt, it featured a deep fuselage capable of sleeping up to seven people.
Click the "Visit" button to watch a YouTube video on the history of Dean Wilson's aircraft design.
Robert A. "Bob" Wilson - USAF Pilot Founded the Wilson Air Center chain
Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame Memphis Aviation Legends Hall of Fame NBAA's John P. "Jack" Doswell Award
Early Aviation: He earned his private pilot's license at age 16 before having a driver's license, often flying alongside his father (founded of Holliday Inn) to scout hotel locations.
Military Service: He served as a Lieutenant Colonel and Operations Group Commander in the Tennessee Air National Guard (flying C-124, C-130, and C-141 aircraft) over a 30-year military career.
Founding Wilson Air Center: He established the first Wilson Air Center location in 1996 at Memphis International Airport, blending hotel-style hospitality and concierge services into private aviation.
