Senator James Inhofe
November 17, 1934 – July 9, 2024
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2024 Digital Issue
U.S. Senator
James Inhofe
WASHINGTON, DC – The aviation community mourns the death of general aviation pilot and champion, former U.S. Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, who died July 9, 2024, after suffering a stroke on July 4. He was 89.
During President Donald Trump’s Administration, Inhofe served as Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee following the death of Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona.
Inhofe supported massive infrastructure projects, was a relentless advocate for American energy dominance, and believed in modernizing the U.S. military to strengthen the security of the entire free world.
Born James Mountain Inhofe on November 17, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa, Inhofe grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Tulsa in 1959. He served in the U.S. Army between 1956 and 1958, was a businessman for decades, won state legislative seats in the 1960s, and unsuccessfully ran for governor and Congress in the 1970s. In 1978, he became the Mayor of Tulsa in which he served for three terms.
Inhofe went on to win two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1980s before winning the U.S. Senate seat in 1994, in which he was reelected five times. He underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2013 before being elected to a fourth term, then stepped down in early 2023 after being elected to a fifth term in 2020.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) marked the passing of Inhofe, who tirelessly fought on behalf of the industry throughout his decades of public service.
“Sen. Inhofe was a master legislator and general aviation’s great champion,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Those two truths are reflected in every aviation bill that has passed Congress and been signed into law over the past 35 years.
“His Discharge Petition, General Aviation Revitalization Act, Pilots Bill of Rights, Basic Med and numerous FAA Reauthorization bills that have protected general aviation’s access to airspace and airports, represent just a fraction of what Jim Inhofe has done to promote aviation,” Bolen added. “There is no one who has done more to help the United States have the largest, safest, most diverse and most efficient aviation system in the world. We will miss him greatly.”
Likewise, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) issued the following statement:
“NATA mourns the passing of Senator Jim Inhofe, an avid aviator and steadfast stalwart for general aviation throughout his nearly four decades of public service,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “Sen. Inhofe’s legislative skill and deep understanding of the importance of general aviation, left an indelible mark on our nation’s aviation infrastructure and skilled workforce. We are a stronger, more resilient industry because of the Senator’s wisdom, leadership, and dedication.
“Just last week, NATA hosted its annual Air Charter Summit in Sen. Inhofe’s home state of Oklahoma, where we saw firsthand how his passion for his constituents and for our industry shaped a vibrant, innovative aviation landscape that continues to flourish. We are confident that his legacy will inspire future aviation advocates and professionals for generations to come.”
(L/R) U.S. Senator James Inhofe received the 2022 EAA Freedom of Flight Award from EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. EAA Photo by Andrew Zaback
As an accomplished aviator, Sen. Inhofe brought a deep appreciation and understanding of the industry to policy debates on Capitol Hill. Over the course of his career, he supported legislation that ensured general aviation would continue connecting communities and remain a vital contributor to the nation’s economy, including through his work as a key proponent of legislation creating aviation workforce grants.
Sen. Inhofe was an 11,000-hour pilot and owner of numerous general aviation aircraft, including an RV-8, Cessna 340, and Grumman Tiger.
Sen. Inhofe enjoyed camping with his sons, next to his aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. He attended 40 consecutive fly-ins where he hosted an annual Congressional Forum, updating attendees on his legislative activities supporting general aviation.
