2027 GAAHOF Inductees

Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Summary For more than sixty years, William “Bill” Mercure has dedicated his life to advancing aviation through leadership, service, education, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Few individuals have contributed to Georgia aviation in as many capacities—or influenced as many aviators—as Bill Mercure. Even fewer have had a career that has spanned and helped shape aviation from the dawn of the commercial jet age through today’s modern aviation era. 

Introduced to aviation at an early age by his father, renowned aviator and aviation safety leader Lee “L.G.” Mercure, Bill demonstrated exceptional talent from childhood. He earned his Flight Instructor certificate immediately after graduating from high school, becoming one of the youngest instructors of his era before embarking on a career that would span military, commercial, and general aviation. Bill served honorably in the United States Navy Reserve as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate and crew member supporting anti-submarine warfare operations before beginning his airline career with Southern Airways and later Delta Air Lines. During his twenty-nine years at Delta, he held numerous leadership positions, including flight instructor, line check airman, assistant chief pilot, director of training, director of flight standards and technical support, international lead line check airman, and Aircraft Program Designee. 

Throughout his career, he played an integral role in training pilots, developing operational standards, and advancing aviation safety during one of the most transformative periods in airline history. His career uniquely bridges the evolution of commercial aviation from early piston aircraft and first-generation jet transports to today’s technologically advanced flight operations. Bill’s aviation credentials are exceptional. He holds certifications from Private Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot, numerous instructor ratings, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certification with Inspection Authorization, and has served as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner since 2008. His flying experience spans virtually every category of aircraft, including the DC-3, Martin 404, Convair 880 and 990, Boeing 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767, as well as a wide range of military trainers, business aircraft, aerobatic airplanes, and general aviation aircraft. This remarkable breadth of experience reflects not only technical mastery but a lifelong commitment to aviation excellence. 

Following his retirement from Delta, Bill continued serving Georgia aviation as owner of Silver Ace Aviation, providing aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, aerobatic training, and mentorship. During this time, his dedication to aviation included introducing underprivileged youth to the aviation industry, and his continued work as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner have ensured that his influence continues through every new generation of pilots. 

Bill Mercure’s legacy is measured not only by the aircraft he has flown or the titles he has held, but by the thousands of aviators he has trained, examined, mentored, and inspired. His career represents a living connection to the evolution of aviation—from the early years of commercial flight through the jet age and into modern aviation—and his leadership has helped shape that evolution in Georgia. For his extraordinary service, enduring leadership, and lasting impact on aviation, William “Bill” Mercure is exceptionally deserving of induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.

On July 14, 1943, Fred Larson Houston was the ninth sibling born to a share cropper’s family. During his childhood Fred’s family moved to Cordele, GA and in 1962 he graduate from Crisp County High School. In 1964 Fred joined the National Guard and selected to go to the Georgia Military Institute. He graduated 2"in his class and received an award from General Camp for distinguished graduate for leadership.

Fred began his journey to becoming an airman in the early 70’s. He started flight training with H.D. (Red) Curtis all while managing an small department store in Cochran, GA. He would continue on and earn his early ratings there. Fred started his aviation career in 1975 as a copilot on a Lockheed PV2 that sprayed for fire ants. In May of each year, they would fly the PV2s all the way up to Preque Isle, Maine KPQI and return to Georgia in June. For the rest of the growing season, Fred sprayed cotton, peanuts, and soybeans while working for Cochran Air Service.

In 1977 Fred learned that W.H. (Bud) Barron was wanting to retire and was ready to sell his business in Dublin, GA. Fred was up to the job and earned Bud’s trust ensuring that the farmers would be well taken care of. Bud sold his operation to Fred and so Dublin Air Service was established in December of 1977. In this transition Fred also became the airport manager at KDBN. Running the Dublin airport gave Fred an opportunity to see it’s needs. He saw that flight instruction and maintenance was needed so on to pursue those ratings he did. He became a flight instructor ’78 and then earned his Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic rating in the early 80’s. Three years later he earned his Inspection Authorization and Fred has kept that privilege current to this day. For the next 2 decades Fred wore a lot of hats. He was a crop duster, corporate pilot for Dublin Construction, flight instructor and mechanic. While flying for Dublin Construction, Fred flew an A-36 Bonanza, Cessna 414, King Air 200, and earned a PIC type rating to fly a King Air 350.

In 2004, Fred became a designated Pilot Examiner for the FAA and held that position based out of the Dublin airport until 2024. In those 20 years as DPE, Fred conducted about six thousand checkrides. This time gave Fred the opportunity of his life to test, evaluate and fly with the future pilots of tomorrow. In Fred’s 50 year career flying airplanes, which resulted in an accumulation of 22,000 hours in the air, he has had the opportunity to see incredible advancements in technology through avionics and aircraft design. He has had the opportunity to operate airplanes in 46 of the contiguous United States, Mexico, Bahamas, Belize, Caicos Islands, Grand Caymen and Canada. He has trained and checked pilots that have gone on to all areas of flying. He has a large cadre of pilots that have gone to the airlines, military, ag flying, charter and corporate flying. It has been his absolute pleasure to follow their careers and keep up with those he has influenced. Fred was presented with the highly prestigious Wright Brothers Award by the FAA in 2022 for his 50 years of safe and continuous flying. In the same year the Laurens County Board of Commissioners named the airport terminal at KDBN “The Fred Houston Terminal Building”.

Dr Susan Northrup joined the FAA in April 2007 as the Southern Regional Flight Surgeon.  In January of 2021, she was selected as the Federal Air Surgeon.  She is responsible for all aerospace medicine efforts within the FAA including airman medical certification, air traffic control health program, AME designee management, internal and external substance abuse testing, and aeromedical research.  She was awarded the FAA’s Flight Surgeon of the Year Award in 2008 and Outstanding Manager in 2018.  In 2017, she was selected as the Senior Regional Flight Surgeon with operational responsibilities for the entire nation most notably steering the FAA’s response to COVID keeping the National Air Space open during the crisis.  In 2024, she was awarded the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award for distinguished and significant contributions in her role as Federal Air Surgeon overseeing groundbreaking initiatives which significantly impacted pilot health and safety.  As a civilian and prior to the FAA, she was Regional Medical Director for Air Crew and Passenger Health Services for Delta Air Lines from 2001 to 2005, Medical Consultant for the National Pilots Association 2005 to 2007, as well as consulting from 2005-2007.  Dr Northrup served in the United States Air Force Active Duty from 1990 to 2001, and as a Reservist from 2001 to 2010, retiring as a Colonel.

Dr Northrup obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with Honors from The Ohio State University in 1985 and stayed on to get her Medical Degree in 1989.  She was awarded a Masters in Public Health from the University of Texas, in 1994.  She completed Residencies in Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Medicine in 1995 and 1996 respectively, becoming Board Certified in both disciplines. Professionally, she has served as President of the American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists, Civil Aviation Medical Association, and the Aerospace Medicine Association in addition to several other positions in each.  Dr Northrup spent nine years (2007-2016) as a trustee for the American Board of Preventive Medicine in several capacities including as the Vice Chair Aerospace Medicine. 

As a private pilot, Dr Northrup and her family are proud owners of three aircraft – a Harvard MkIV, a Stearman, and a Citabria and live on an airpark south of Luthersville, Georgia when she isn’t in DC.