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Prominent general-aviation advocate joins Aviation Hall of Fame board

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By John Nolan, Staff Writer Updated 9:44 PM Friday, July 2, 2010

DAYTON — Phil Boyer, retired president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, has joined the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s board of trustees, board members of the hall said Friday, July 2.

During 18 years as the AOPA’s president, Boyer testified before Congress and lobbied it as a spokesman for general aviation. That followed a broadcasting career in which he managed ABC television stations WLS in Chicago and WABC in New York and served as senior vice president/development for Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises Inc., where he explored new business opportunities and coordinated ABC’s international business activities.

“I’m very pleased to be able to do this,” Boyer said Friday from his home near Batavia, east of Cincinnati.

He said the National Aviation Hall of Fame approached him a decade ago about serving on its board, but he declined then because of the demands of the AOPA job. He retired from the AOPA at the end of 2008.

Boyer said he hopes to help improve the aviation hall’s visibility and its financial stability.

“The two go hand in hand. Greater exposure sets the path for raising money,” Boyer said.

His experience and connections in the aircraft industry will help the National Aviation Hall of Fame as it works its way through a financial squeeze, addresses fundraising and revises its business plan, trustees said Friday.

Boyer becomes the 22nd member of the nonprofit organization’s board, which slashed the organization’s staff in November 2009 to cut costs.

“We’re really tickled to have him,” said Alan Hoeweler, board president of the aviation hall. Boyer is expected to participate in the board’s next meeting in late July or early August.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame is preparing for its biggest annual event, the July 16-17 weekend events in Dayton that conclude with the Saturday night induction of new members of the hall of fame. This year’s inductees are Alan Bean, lunar module pilot for Apollo 12; Warren G. Grimes, the former Urbana manufacturer credited as originator of aircraft lighting and aircraft navigation instruments; Clay Lacy, a pilot and videographer for movies including “Top Gun” and “The Right Stuff,” and Noel Wien, a pilot and founder of Wien Alaska Airlines.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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