Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
Enshrined 2011
Billy Walker was born September 30, 1941, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He attended Arizona State University and received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology. Billy continued a family tradition of involvement in aviation receiving his private pilot’s license at the age of 18 and getting his first job as a pilot while still in college. He went to work for Frontier Airlines in 1967 and remained with the airline until its demise in 1986. In 1971 and 1972 he took a leave from Frontier to fly transport aircraft in Cambodia.
After Frontier Airlines shut down, Billy went to work flying for America West Airlines from 1988 to 1999. He then joined JetBlue and flew for them until his mandatory retirement in 2001. Afterward, he worked for the airline as a test pilot until 2006. Billy continues to fly his own aircraft, participating in formation flights in his Stearman PT-17 at air shows and other events around Arizona. He is a tireless promoter and an excellent ambassador for aviation in Arizona.
