Joseph (Joe) W. Payne (Dad) discovered his love for flight early in life and has been pursuing and sharing his passion ever since. Whether it was the incredible achievements of the Wright Brothers and other early pioneers or the daring feats of American pilots in WWII that grabbed Dad's imagination - whatever the inspiration - his mind was made up early that he needed to be a part of the world of aviation.

Dad was born and raised on a farm in rural northern Virginia and although he loved the people and the area, as soon as he was able, he (and his best friend Buzzy Cockrell) joined the U.S. Air Force. Although Dad was not able to be a pilot, his service (to include overseas service) fueled his passion for flight. Upon leaving the Air Force and settling in El Paso, Texas he quickly secured his pilot's license and bought an airplane. He was happiest when he was flying his B-85-C "Funk" airplane over the west Texas desert or tinkering to keep it in flying shape. He was also a founding member of the El Paso chapter of the "Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)". He subsequently secured his commercial pilot's certificate and then his instructor's license, after which he began teaching flight to a new generation of
enthusiasts.

Dad shared his passion with his four sons. Our first experience with flight was riding with him as he piloted his Cessna ?€“ we were all hooked. Dad also taught us about flight ?€“ taking us to museums such as the Smithsonian and the USAF museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where we learned about the pioneers, history, and science of flight. As America reached for the stars Dad took us there as well, investing in our family?€™s first color television to watch the Apollo 11 moon mission. He later took us to see an Apollo mission launch at Cape Canaveral.

We all found a love of flight but especially my brother John who truly pursued Dad's dreams. John graduated from the Air Force Academy to become a pilot. He flew in the first Gulf War as well as countless other missions and recently retired as a Colonel from the USAF. Although not a pilot, I have never stopped experiencing the wonder and awe of flight every time I travel in airplane, see one fly overhead, or visit the Smithsonian (where I always learn something new). I especially enjoyed talking to
Dad on the phone last year as we watched (he in Ohio, me in Virginia) Space X take Americans into space for the first time in many years.

There is nothing more fitting at this great institution where we remember the pioneers, history, and the sheer majesty of flight, than to recognize Joe Payne for his dream to become a pilot and his love of flight. He shared his passion with his sons and is now doing so with a new generation, so that they too can learn about flight and feel that same sense of wonder when they see or experience aircraft (or spacecraft) slip the surly bonds of earth.