| Norman "Swede" William Ralston | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1916-11-28)November 28, 1916 Forest Grove, Oregon |
| Died | November 14, 2007(2007-11-14) (aged 90) Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Portland, Oregon, Oregon |
| Occupation(s) | Aviator Airshow pilot Businessman Flight instructor |
| Spouse | Radah Ardath Ralston |
| Children | Dana Jean McCullough Radah "Sissy" Ardath Bentson Norman William Ralston Jr. Mary Louise Ralston |
| Parent(s) | William Grey Ralston and Ester Josephine Mortenson |
Norman William Ralston (November 28, 1916 – November 14, 2007) was an American pilot.
Biography
During World War II, Ralston, known as "Swede", trained hundreds of Army pilots at Rankin Field in Tulare, California. Rankin Aeronautical Academy was a civilian flight school for the United States Army Air Corps.
As a stunt pilot, he operated a fleet of aircraft for Ralston Airshows. He became famous for flying an AT-6 Texan through Naval Air Station Tillamook, a World War II blimp hangar, in Tillamook, Oregon. Ralston constructed the first commercial hangar at Hillsboro, Oregon and helped found the Hillsboro Airport. He co-founded the airline company Aero Air, a successful full-service fixed-base operator.
Awards
- Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award
- International Council of Air Shows Hall of Fame Award
- Federal Aviation Administration's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
References
- Aircraft and Artifacts Hall of Honor Members
- McNichol, Bethanye (July 27, 1995). "West Zoner: Our Town: Hillsboro Community Close Up". The Oregonian. p. 1.
- "Maintenance Hangar - The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Awards - FAA - FAASTeam - FAASafety.gov". www.faasafety.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- "Swede Ralston". International Council of Air Shows Foundation. January 22, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- "Pilots - The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Awards - FAA - FAASTeam - FAASafety.gov". www.faasafety.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2020.