Dan Mills: 2026’s Esteemed Aerospace Educator from Tennessee
The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has proudly announced Dan Mills, a distinguished aviation educator at Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee, as the recipient of the 2026 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year award on April 14, 2026.
Boasting over five decades of aviation experience, Mills has successfully built one of the nation’s most influential high school aviation programs. His approach combines rigorous technical instruction with a deeply personal commitment to mentorship, integrity, and character development. Since his tenure with the Elizabethton City School System began in 2010, Mills has:
- Developed six aviation courses
- Contributed to the creation of the Tennessee state aviation education standards
- Established innovative pathways that enable students to solo aircraft and earn pilot certifications at an exceptionally low cost through community partnerships
Such dedication has earned Mills widespread recognition, including his induction into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame in 2025 and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50 years of exemplary service in aviation safety. His classroom innovations include the use of a full-motion Redbird FMX flight simulator, providing students with advanced, real-world training experiences typically unavailable at the high school level.
“Dan Mills exemplifies the spirit of the Crossfield Award,” expressed Monica Newman McCluney, NAHF Trustee and Head of U.S. Corporate Social Responsibility & the Embraer Foundation. “His unwavering commitment to education, safety, and character development reflects the highest ideals of aerospace education.” Mills will be honored at the President’s Reception on September 23, 2026, as part of the NAHF 62nd Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Source: National Aviation Hall of Fame