Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame

2024 Hall of Fame Inductee Announced

The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame, in conjunction with the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission, has named Richard Bastian the 2024 inductee into the Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame. Bastian is recognized for his 50-plus years of providing mechanical support, major aircraft repairs and aircraft building, modification, and restoration, as well as for his service in the Wyoming Air National Guard and his Federal Aviation Administration aircraft inspections for the Civil Air Patrol.

Rich Bastian began flying in 1965, first under the instruction of Leonard Nelson in Potter, Nebraska, and later under Les Larson, a long-time instructor in Cheyenne. He soloed in 1966 in his recently purchased Cessna 140. He received his private pilot’s license in 1967 after graduating from high school. He attended Colorado Aero Tech where he received his Airframe and Powerplant certification in 1969. Bastian worked for Nelson Flying Service where he was an aerial sprayer in Wyoming and western Nebraska. He then created Bastian Aircraft in 1970 and built a modern and fully equipped hangar and shop near his airstrip. That same year, he joined the Wyoming Air National Guard. As a flight line mechanic, he provided time inspections and general maintenance during a time of significant change when the unit was transitioning from the older piston-driven C-121 Constellation to the turboprop-powered C-130 Hercules. He served in the Guard until 1975. Bastian also has provided many FAA annual inspections and 100-hour inspections for the Civil Air Patrol after receiving his FAA Aircraft Inspection Authorization in 1974.

Bastian became one of the foremost experts in aerobatic aircraft modification, building, and rebuilding, in addition to becoming one of the nation’s foremost restorers of vintage aircraft. With his craftsmanship, creativity, and knowledge, his business surged with customers approaching him to have their aircraft modified or rebuilt, or to request to have him build an airplane. His focus has been on aerobatic aircraft, including the Citabria and the Pitts.

It has been said that Bastian’s “aircraft and abilities put Burns, Wyoming, on the world map for any serious aerobatic competitor or airshow pilot flying a Pitts Special.” He has been described as a person who is “helpful and generous toward others, rather than polish and enhance his own image.” Airshow legend Sean D. Tucker described Rich Bastian as “not one of the best Pitts builders; he is the best!” Bastian himself, became an aerobatic pilot and competed in the US National Aerobatics Championships and the Rocky Mountain Aerobatic Championships where he earned first place in the 1978 competition. He also performed at airshows around the state, including in Cheyenne and Sheridan. His experience led him to join the crew of the U.S. Aerobatics Team. In 1978, he was the team mechanic at the World Aerobatic Championships in Czechoslovakia. In 1980, he was the team mechanic and technical advisor for the world championships held in Oshkosh, WI.

Bastian’s talents have led him to become a leader in aircraft restoration. He has restored many vintage aircraft, including for aviation museums. Some models he has restored include the Beech Staggerwing, Waco, Stearman, and others. He has modified or restored hundreds of aircraft over the span of 50 years. He had the honor of being invited to build a flying replica of the first Pitts for a 75^th birthday celebration to honor aircraft designer Curtis Pitts in 1990.

Richard Bastian was born in 1948, in Cheyenne. He was raised on the family ranch near Burns. After graduating from Burns High School, he attended Sheridan College in 1967 and 1968 before transferring to Colorado Aero Tech. He has owned many aircraft and has accumulated more than 3,100 flight hours. He and his wife Shirley raised four children on their farm near Burns: Steve, Brenda, Chad, and Todd. Bastian was formally recognized for his achievements at an event at his hangar on Sept. 20.

The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame was founded in 1995 as a non-profit, publicly supported, tax-exempt organization dedicated to honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, development, or advancement of aviation in Wyoming. The organization comprises a board of directors and operates in conjunction with the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission. Board members include Kent Nelson, retired USAF colonel and former Wyoming Aeronautics Commissioner; Dean McClain, who operates an aerial spraying business in Torrington and who is a current Aeronautics commissioner; and John Waggener, a University of Wyoming archivist and Wyoming transportation historian. 

For more information about the WAHF, to nominate an individual, or to make a financial contribution to support the organization, please contact WAHF President John Waggener, in Laramie, at 307-766-2563.

 

Photos courtesy of WAHF

Top left: Rich Bastian in his Pitts S1S at his hanger in Burns, July 2024.

Bottom right: Rich Bastian in his Piper Super Cub at his hangar in Burns, July 2024.

 

 

 

                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame

The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame is a nonprofit, publicly supported, tax-exempt organization dedicated to honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, development, and/or advancement of aviation in Wyoming. The organization comprises a board of directors and operates in conjunction with the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1995 through efforts of R.R. "Red" Kelso, a veteran Wyoming pilot. Those who assisted in forming the hall of fame include Gerald Adams, who was a retired USAF colonel from Cheyenne; Toni Brown, of Gillette, who was the secretary of the Wyoming Pilot’s Association; Curt Kaiser, who had an investment firm in Cheyenne; Kristi Feusner, who was assistant manager of the Cheyenne Airport, and Dick Spaeth, who was the State Aeronautics Director.

The initial selection of inductees was made by the Wyoming Aeronautics Commissioners, which included Ray Hunkins, of Wheatland; Carol Lewis and Brad Mead, of Jackson; Bill Hallam, Lander; Gene Bannister, Gillette; and Mike Vase, of Rock Springs. The first four honorees, who were inducted during a ceremony in Cheyenne on August 11, 1995, were Ralph Johnson, Dillard “Pic” Walker, Harold “Slim” Lewis, and Samuel Phillips. Since the inaugural 1995 induction, the number of inductees is limited to one to enhance the honor of being selected. Breaking from that tradition, in 2020, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame, the board selected two individuals for induction into the hall of fame, Doyle Vaughan, of Jackson, and Daniel Hawkins, from Greybull.

The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame also collects aviation historical artifacts for display to educate the public on Wyoming's significant role in aviation's early days. The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame also maintains an archive, which includes nominee biographies. The archive is available for researchers in Laramie at the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center.

Current board members include Kent Nelson, retired USAF colonel and former Wyoming Aeronautics Commissioner; Dean McClain, who operates an ag flying business in Torrington; and John Waggener, a University of Wyoming archivist and transportation historian.

The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame is dependent upon individual contributions to finance its operations. Charitable, tax-deductible donations can be sent to the president at the address below.  Anyone wishing to submit a nomination can contact John Waggener, president of the Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame.

Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame
Attn: John Waggener
1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY 82071
Telephone: (307) 766-2563

 

 

 

 

Fueling a Ford Tri Motor in Casper in 1928.  Courtesy Herman C. Bretschneider Collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.  

Pages of Interest

Good Aviation & Veterans Museum, Casper, WY 

CallAir Museum, Afton, WY

Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting, Greybull, WY