Another big name is on its way to the Robinson Grand in downtown Clarksburg. This time, however, it’s part of a private event honoring West Virginia’s leaders in aviation and aerospace.

 

According to North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock, former NASA Astronaut and Retired United States Navy Captain Jon A. McBride will serve as a guest speaker at the 2018 West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame and West Virginia Wall of Valor Induction Ceremony. It’s part of the three-day West Virginia Aviation Conference being hosted by the North Central West Virginia Airport.

 

The event will take place Monday evening. Individuals are expected to arrive at the event after having dinner at the Bridgeport Conference Center at roughly 7:30 p.m.

 

“Captain McBride will be providing discussion about his life and comments about the inductees for the  2018  class,” said Rock. “I think he’s also going to talk on what being in the Hall of Fame means to him as part of him making the presentation to the 2018 Hall of Fame Class.”

 

The names of the 2018 Class will be revealed that evening, as will the Wall of Valor recipients. McBride is a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame class of inductees from 2014 as this marks the fifth year of inductions. Those inducted into the Hall of Fame are featured with plaques in the lobby of the North Central West Virginia Airport.

 

McBride is a West Virgina native. He was born in Charleston and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1960. The 74-year-old then attended West Virginia University and then U.S. Naval Postgraduate school wher he received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1971.

 

McBride became an astronaut in August 1979.  His NASA assignments have included lead chase pilot for the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Columbia. He had a distinguished career with NASA. He retired in May of 1989 from the Navy and NASA.

 

“He is so energetic,” said Rock. “It says a lot to have someone of his stature at the event who is already in the Hall of Fame, but has an inspiring life story. It’s part of our mission and my vision to make this conference as special as it could possibly be.”

 

Already, things are going extremely well. Rock said the number of attendees for this year’s conference is way ahead of last year’s conference and could be an all-time high. He said the venues involved have helped that goal be reached.

 

“We wanted this conference to be top-notch and I knew with Scott Duarte being involved at the Conference Center that we didn’t have to worry about a thing there, especially the food. I’ve said it before; I’ll put his food up against any venue in the state,” said Rock, who will recognize former inductees. “Add to that the ability to have the historical aspect of those being inducted into the Hall of Fame being honored at a historical venue such as the Robinson Grand and you have a perfect setting to tie everything together.”

 

Also on hand at the event will be Clint Ransom, the present of the West Virginia Airport Managers Association and the manager of the Mercer County Airport. He’ll be offering the welcome, the introduction of speakers and closing remarks.

 

Another big name on hand will be Major General James A. Hoyer, the Adjutant General for the State of West Virginia. He will make remarks and recognize the inductees to the West Virginia Aviation Wall of Valor.

 

Bridgeport and the NCWV Airport are hosting the conference for the first time. It officially begins Sunday with a reception and a “Pub Crawl” at locations at Charles Pointe starting at the Bridgeport Conference Center at 5 p.m. Conference meetings will be held Monday and Tuesday. The Pub Crawl event will be open to the public starting at 6 p.m. at four locations at Charles Pointe.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo, courtesy of NASA through Wiki Images, shows Jon McBride. Bottom photo is of NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock.