Richmond, Virginia

Inducted in 2006, Charles Stevens began his aviation career career as a line boy in 1939 at Washington Hoover Airport.  Stevens obtained his pilots license in 1940.  In June 1941 he went to work at the new Washington National Airport and was assigned to the Central Tower to work in air traffic control, where he had the honor of clearing to land the first scheduled air carrier into the new airport.  During World War II Stevens was transferred to Dallas-Fort Worth and also to Amarillo to serve as Chief of Air Traffic Control.  In 1945 Stevens transferred to Richmond International Airport as a controller and was promoted to Chief Controller in 1946.  Stevens’ keen observation and understanding of the needs of different types of air traffic made his constant drive for improved procedures procedures and new equipment above average in effectiveness.  The many improvements and services facilitated by Stevens at Richard E. Byrd Airport, later Richmond International Airport, by Stevens at Richard E. Byrd Airport, later Richmond International Airport, included early radar, VOR, multiple ILS, separation of user radio frequencies, familiarization of pilots with FAA procedures, “Operation Raincheck” and many others.