Hampton, Virginia

Inducted in 1979, Robert A. Champine completed Naval flight training in 1946. Shortly thereafter, he joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (later NACA) as a research pilot engineer. During his career he was involved in aircraft and flight research with over 11,000 flight hours in 175 types of aircraft including the Bell X-1, Douglas D-558 I and II and helicopters and vertical takeoff-and-landing planes. Champine has authored or co-authored over 35 aeronautical research papers. He is one of the founders of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society.