Aerospace Defence

Sir Alan Cobham inducted into the A/TA Hall of Fame

Posted 15 June 2016

The Airlift Tanker Association (A/TA) has announced Sir Alan Cobham as its 28th Hall of Fame inductee, who was an aviation pioneer and significant contributor to air mobility through his historic aerial refuelling experiments and the founder of Flight Refuelling Ltd. - now Cobham plc, one of the UK's largest aerospace companies.

Sir Alan will be formally honoured at the 48th Annual Airlift/Tanker Association Convention/Symposium & Technology Exhibition in Nashville, TN, 27-30 October 2016.

Later in 2017, his bronze bust will be permanently mounted in the Mobility Memorial Park at Scott Air Force Base, IL.

As the A/TA once again gathers under the theme 'America’s Mobility Force – Forged Through Alliances, Partnerships and Teamwork', it will reflect and recognise Sir Alan’s influence on the air to air refueling technology and techniques in use today.

His continuous refinement of the probe and drogue refuelling system was a fundamental contributor to the defence and security interests of the UK and USA - and their allies - throughout the Cold War to the threats of the present-day.

CMSgt Mike Kerver, USAF (R) President, Airlift/Tanker Association cited Sir Alan’s pioneering spirit, entrepreneurship and vision of the importance aviation and aerospace would play in the modern world, directly benefited generations of airmen and women, which has result in his induction into the A/TA Hall of Fame.

The Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame was established in 1988 to honour those individuals and teams who have demonstrated superior or sustained performance in the advancement of air mobility and refuelling.