James R. Greenwood

Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
Enshrined 1996

James R. (Jim) Greenwood was born in Washington, D.C. An internationally recognized spokesman for aviation for over 40 years, he is a World War II Navy veteran and former journalist, parachutist and pilot. At Hawthorne School of Aeronautics, Beech Aircraft and Learjet, his innovative programs promoting aviation’s many benefits became models for the industry. And as director of public affairs for the Federal Aviation Administration in the early 1970’s he spearheaded government/industry efforts to restore public confidence in air travel. He also authored the U.S. Department of Transportation’s first public information policy manual.

Later he played a pivotal role in bringing Gates Learjet to Tucson where, in 1985, he retired as senior vice president for corporate affairs. While a director of the Tucson Air Museum Foundation of Pima County, he was instrumental in establishing the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame and the Aero Club of Arizona. An award-winning author, he serves on several national boards, including the General James H. Doolittle Library and Aviation Space Writers Foundation. His numerous awards include the Federation Aeronautique Internationale’s Paul Tissandier Diploma for “a lifetime of service to the cause of aviation.”