(Greenfield) The Iowa Aviation Museum in Greenfield announces James Zangger of Larchwood, Iowa, is the 2023 inductee into the Hall of Fame. The induction program will be held August 19 at 11:15 following a fly-in breakfast served from 7:30 – 11 am.
James R. Zangger was born July 18, 1949, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up and learned to fly on the family farm near Larchwood. His parents, Russell and Dolly Zangger, were flight and ground school instructors at the airport they established on the farm.
Jim began flying lessons at age 10 and accumulated 64 hours by his 16th birthday. On that day (July 18, 1965), Jim soloed a 1946 BC12-D Taylorcraft, a 1959 Cessna 150, a 1956 Piper Tri-Pacer, and flew his solo cross-country flight. Later that week, Jim flew to the county seat and traded in his school permit for a driver’s license. Jim took his private check-ride on his 17th birthday and his commercial flight test on his 18th birthday, followed by instrument and multi-engine ratings. He received his A&P certificate and began Jim’s Aircraft Repair at his home field in Larchwood.
Jim’s aviation career includes flying more than 25 years for Rockwell Collins and contract flying before moving back to Larchwood and operating Zangger Vintage Airpark, the oldest privately owned public use airport in Iowa and a residential airpark since 1991.
His aviation awards include the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, and a safety award from the NBAA (National Business Aircraft Association). Jim estimates his total flight hours at 26,750 to date. His parents, Russell and Dolly Zangger, are also members of the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.
Nominations to the Hall of Fame are made by the public and selection is made by an independent judging committee. Neither the Board nor employees of the Iowa Aviation Museum make nominations or selections.
