My Top 9 Most Influential Aviators
According to a professional aviation dabbler...
Most people can point to a couple of influential figures who inspired or helped them along the way as they navigated their life’s journey. Aviation, for me, was a passion I found later in life but was accelerated and nurtured nonetheless by some incredible stories and storytellers.
From Vietnam-era jet pilots to YouTubers showcasing the freedom of bush planes, these stories—yes, even these content creators (🤮 I can’t believe I’m using that phrase)—represent everything I find beautiful about flying.
Below are nine amazing pilots who either convinced me to pursue naval aviation or just planted a seed of appreciation for general aviation.
1. The Wright Brothers
The first in flight, an obvious number one pick. Midwesterners moving to the Outer Banks to pursue their dream and tackle gravity. Living in Virginia Beach has allowed me to visit the site where it happened a couple of times and it’s so cool to imagine: Navy fighter jets flying over the same sand dunes where it all started over one hundred years later.
2. Charlie Plumb
A Vietnam F-14 Phantom II pilot who managed to survive six years in the Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam in the 1960s. Hearing his story on The Jocko Podcast inspired something in me to join the badasses that comprised Naval Aviation.
3. Trent Palmer
Trent is a YouTuber who showcases all the beauty of what flying can bring. I knew becoming a pilot through the Navy would be a great job in its own right, but also once I got my military wings I could apply for a civilian license and one day do things like this. I was hooked.
4. Sully
I feel like I beat the EP Horse to death sometimes on here but… yeah, they’ve made movies about pilot aces but when have they ever documented the heroic actions of a pilot managing a bird strike? Until Sully, they hadn’t. And it sounds weird but how Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger saved the entire crew and the aircraft after a dual-engine failure is an incredible story worth watching.
5. Dutch Pilot Girl
“Dutch Pilot Girl” is, you guessed it, a female pilot who happens to be Dutch. Very original name, yes, but the content actually is incredible. She flies commercial airliners into some beautiful locations and does a great job of showcasing the magic of using aviation to explore the world.
6. Jonny Kim
I’ve written about him before, and he’s still just as impressive as ever. He’s definitely been a source of inspiration, even though I only discovered his aviation side after I was already in the Navy and flying. To me, Jonny represents a diversity of interests and a drive to go beyond the typical career path. What he does is truly out of this world. Sad trombone.
7. Neil Armstrong
A man who needs no introduction. The first man to walk on the moon, Navy test pilot and aerospace engineer, and commander of the Gemini 8, Armstrong is a role model to more than just my aviation career. What’s crazy is he was in his first operational squadron less than two years after starting flight school in Pensacola. Now you have SNA’s making Lieutenant before even getting to the FRS. LOL.
8. Vincent “Jello” Aiello
Jello is a former Navy F-18 pilot who has done a lot of great work educating the masses on the inside perspective of flying planes in the military through his podcast. I loved listening and learning about Navy flight school, what makes Navy flying unique, and all the little details his guests would provide insight into on his show. He’s really grown quite a bit since I discovered him in 2018 and it’s great to see.
9. Bob Hoover
I first heard about this guy from a reservist instructor I had in Primary when I couldn’t do a barrel roll in the T-6 for shit. The IP recommended I watch this video to:
See what real aerobatic skill looks like
Consider DOR-ing to spare my ancestors further disgrace
The best part of all is that he would do all this flying in a suit and tie. Incredible.
What or who gets you excited about aviation? Anyone you think I missed and should be on this list? Let me know and I’ll add them to the #10 spot!