“I’ll never forget that first flight with him,” Eames, a friend and aviation partner from Houston, Texas, said. “As I strapped in behind Warren and the canopy closed over our heads, he turned to me over the intercom and asked, “So, do you like roller coaster rides?” What followed was far more than a thrill. It was an unforgettable experience that opened a new world for me and deepened my passion for aviation.

“From that first flight onward, Warren became my instructor, mentor and partner in preserving and celebrating aviation history. Under his expert guidance, I learned to fly and together built a world-class collection of warbirds. He was instrumental in the founding of the Texas Flying Legends, and as chief pilot with the pilot team he assembled, bringing these historic aircraft to airshows and veterans’ events across the country. We also built a dedicated wing at the Dakota Territory Air Museum to display the planes and inspire the next generation of aviators, including countless schoolchildren. Among the many unforgettable moments were doing the flyover for the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation and participating in the historic Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in Washington, D.C.,” Eames said.

Eames’ recollections are among numerous written letters from individuals in support of Pietsch’s induction in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.

This week, the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission announced Pietsch will be honored for his career and contributions to aviation when he is inducted in the Hall of Fame during the N.D. Aeronautics Fly-ND Conference March 8-10 at the Clarion Hotel in Minot. The reception and award ceremony will be March 10. He will be the Hall of Fame’s 51st inductee.

Warren Pietsch not only flies warbirds but is deeply involved in the preservation of these planes, among his many aviation interests.

This honor caps another recent recognition, when Pietsch was awarded the prestigious Sword of Excellence, the highest honor presented by the International Council of Air Shows. The award was presented during the ICAS convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 8-11, 2025.

Eric Trueblood, Grand Forks, originally from Minot, co-owner of AirCorps Aviation based in Bemidji, Minnesota, and Tim McPherson, Page, owner of Tall Towers Aviation, spearheaded the North Dakota award nomination but overall, the nomination was a collective effort of those throughout the world.

Many from various walks of life in aviation wrote letters of support for Pietsch’s nomination for the N.D. Aviation Hall of Fame, touching on various aspects of aviation Pietsch, a pilot, aircraft restorer, mentor, museum co-founder and aviation ambassador, has contributed to and supported.

Excerpts from the letters of support include those of Congressman Sam Graves, R-Missouri, a fellow pilot from Tarkio Missouri, who said, “Warren has spent a lifetime in aviation, not only mastering a wide range of aircraft but also preserving history, inspiring new generations, and serving the aviation community in many other ways. His lifelong dedication embodies the spirit of aviation that this Hall of Fame seeks to recognize.”

Christopher Browne, is director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Warren Pietsch teaches young people about aviation, including the stories of “the greatest generation.”

“At the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum we have the distinct privilege and honor of stewarding the world’s largest collection of aerospace artifacts and memorabilia on behalf of the American public. Since joining this museum almost 10 years ago, I have come to appreciate that our most important work involves telling the stories of people, like Warren, whose contributions in aerospace have literally ‘changed our world.’ The aircraft and spacecraft we celebrate provide us with the opportunity to tell the incredible history of human ingenuity, courage, perseverance and passion. These are all attributes that Warren has in abundance,” Browne said.

Kent Pietsch, Burlington, Kent Pietsch Airshows, noted the various aspects of his brother’s aviation career, including: “Warren has been involved with all aspects of aviation since before he soloed at age 16. The list goes on from working at Pietsch Flying Service flying charter, flight instruction, flying air ambulance and doing maintenance in the shop. Later in life Warren ran Pietsch Flying Service reorganized and renamed it to Minot Aero Service.”

Brian Sturm, Minot, friend and business partner, said, “Warren is the biggest proponent of aviation that I know. Warren’s entire adult life has been committed to aviation in North Dakota and actually worldwide. Warren’s list of aviation and flying accomplishments is truly impressive, but his willingness to share his knowledge is maybe his greatest contribution to aviation.”

Pietsch has been a mentor to many.

“I am one of the many individuals Warren has taken under his wing,” Eric Trueblood said. “As a Minot native, I have watched Warren achieve his dreams while actively encouraging mine. Without the guidance, support, and unwavering belief from Warren, I would not have been able to achieve what I have through AirCorps Aviation, serving customers across the globe. When I consider the many others who have learned from and experienced his mentorship I can’t help smiling at the magnified impact Warren will have as we each respectively carry forth his example and the lessons installed in us.”

Bernie Vasquez, Esparto, California, warbirds pilot and mechanic, also experienced Pietsch’s mentorship.

“Warren’s mentorship extends far beyond the cockpit. He has taught me the importance of giving back to the aviation community, of honoring those who came before us, and of inspiring the next generation of pilots. He is a living example of how a true aviation professional operates – not just with skill, but with integrity, humility, and a genuine passion for sharing his craft,” Vasquez said.

Marco Rusconi, Creemore, Ontario, test pilot and former Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds team member, said, “Mr. Warren Pietsch’s dedication to aviation throughout his life has been unparalleled and I and many others feel very fortunate to have performed beside him and benefited from his mentorship.” Pietsch is an honorary RCAF Snowbird.

Pietsch is one of the co-founders and a board member of the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot.

Jenna Grindberg, director of the Dakota Territory Air Museum, has worked with Pietsch for several years.

“As one of the founding members of the Dakota Territory Air Museum, Warren played a pivotal role in turning a shared dream into a lasting institution. What began as a local effort to preserve aviation history has, through Warren’s leadership, evolved into one of the most respected aviation museums not only in our region, but around the country – educating thousands of visitors annually and preserving the stories of aviators who have shaped our skies,” she said.

Scott Slocum, Richardson, Texas, Aero Media Group, said, “Beyond his skill, Warren has a unique ability to connect with people. He has fostered friendships and bonds with photographers from all over the globe, making each air-to-air photography session more than just a flight; it’s an unforgettable experience. The shared laughter and camaraderie found in the company of Warren and the Dakota Territory Air Museum team have created a worldwide community of aviation enthusiasts who now consider North Dakota a second home.”

Chuck Cravens, Walker, Minnesota, historian and author at AirCorps Aviation, said, “We’ve restored four warbirds for the Dakota Territory Air Museum, and Warren has been deeply involved in not only flying but also preserving the history of each plane. He loves to keep these stories alive, particularly to pass them on to young people who may not have been exposed to the sacrifices of ‘the greatest generation.’ The youth programs at the museum are another great example of how Warren ‘pays it forward.'”

Janie McKirgan, executive director of The Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania, said Pietsch contacted her about five years ago to say he had Jimmy Stewart’s P-51 Mustang “Thunderbird.” He planned to restore and bring it to Stewart’s hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania, plus showcase it at The Jimmy Stewart Airport and make it available for Stewart’s family to see.

“The restoration of the Thunderbird was beyond my imagination. He not only did an impeccable job bringing the P-51 back to its original glory but he also brought the history behind it on storyboards to display and educate. Its return to Stewart’s hometown was a highlight to the museum’s 30th anniversary, and we had a corresponding display highlighting its history at the museum as well. Our town showed up in droves to see it and learn more about its fascinating history. Stewart’s daughter, niece and nephew were emotional seeing their father’s/uncle’s plane and grateful to Warren for his restoration of that important plane.”

Pietsch has given back to North Dakota.

“Warren’s commitment to the state of North Dakota is formalized by his tenure and dedicated service on the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission,” Tim McPherson said. “His perspective, blending the practical needs of a pilot, the business demands of a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), and the specific requirements of sectors in aviation, has been instrumental in maximizing state and federal funding for infrastructure and promoting safety, notably during the Bakken oil field expansion. Nationally, his work as an Aerobatic Competency Evaluator (ACE) for the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) has directly raised aviation safety standards for airshows performers across the country. Furthermore, his work on and flying in commemorative flyovers of Washington, D.C. and sharing iconic aircraft across the U.S., consistently bring recognition back to North Dakota.”

Longtime airshow announcer Danny Clisham, Ann Arbor, Michigan, said, “A few events that come to mind when I think about Warren are the following. When sequestration would not allow for the USAF Thunderbirds jet demonstration to perform the annual flyover of the United States Air Force Academy graduation, Warren stepped in and organized a flyover of five WWII aircraft. In 2013, with nine WWII aviators aboard, 11 warbirds flew from Minot to EAA AirVenture. Those nine veterans were honored and interviewed by EAA for global audiences. Warren’s leadership efforts and piloting skills were both on display for the massive Arsenal of Democracy fly-over program (2015 and 2020) of Washington, D.C. Warren and the team of pilots he brought together flew the missing man formation as part of more than 40 WWII aircraft to commemorate the 70th and 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Bunce, Arlington, Virginia, friend and former president/CEO of General Aviation Manufacturers Association, said, “During my 30 active-duty Air Force career I witnessed first-hand how Warren’s participation in, and aviation prowess demonstrated at, numerous USAF open house airshows supported our military’s recruiting efforts. Not only did his aerial demonstrations inspire many young people to want to fly, but his devotion to talk to young people at the conclusion of his performances helped light the spark of enthusiasm toward an aerospace career.”

Pietsch is an airshow performer and active with the International Council of Air Shows.

John Cudahy, Herndon, Virginia, ICAS president, said, “He has a well-deserved reputation as a world-class aerobatic pilot, earned during a nearly half-century as one of North America’s most talented and popular air show performers… skills that earned him the prestigious Bill Barber Showmanship Award in 2005.”

Jim Peitz, Pierre, South Dakota, Mustang Aviation, Inc., said, “Warren has exemplified passion, excellence, and dedication in every facet of aviation. As a pilot, instructor, airshow performer, warbird restorer, and aviation advocate, his work has inspired generations and preserved invaluable pieces of aviation history,” he said.

Robert “Rooster” Reichert, Mobile, Alabama, chief test pilot with Airbus Americas, Inc., and former Snowbird, said, “I knew of Warren long before Warren knew of me. I grew up with aviation influences and being from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, I had attended several air shows in the area and that’s when I first saw Warren fly with his brother Kent and father Al. It wasn’t but a few years later that I had opportunities to really get to know Warren and realized just how multifaceted he had become over the years. There isn’t an airplane he can’t fly. His passion for aviation has no borders; he really does it all.”

Pietsch is more than his titles and accomplishments, according to Tyson Voelkel, College Station, Texas, president/CEO of Texas A&M Foundation.

“His commitment to his family, his faith, his friends, and his community are enviable. His sense of humor, his love of cold, days old pizza, his 20-hour-a-day work ethic, and his steadfast commitment to keeping his word are what legends are made of. Warren is the rare kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty, and respect not because he demands it, but because he earns it – day after day, year after year.”

AirCorps Aviation owners Erik Hokuf, Eric Trueblood, Dan Matejcek and Mark Tisler said in a joint letter, “Warren Pietsch’s contributions to the field of aviation, particularly within North Dakota, are both extensive and inspiring. His reputation as a world-class aviator precedes him, and his accomplishments speak volumes about his commitment to excellence in flight.”

Whitney Schreiber Beck Barner, Fargo, a longtime family friend, said what has always struck her about Pietsch is his character.

“He is humble, practical, straightforward and always willing to lend a hand. I grew up surrounded by what I would call the ‘good guys’ of the warbird industry – a circle of incredibly skilled pilots and mechanics who carried their talent with no ego. They restored and flew ‘old airplanes’ because they loved it, because they wanted to preserve history, and because they wanted to share the experience together. Warren epitomizes that spirit. He is both a master of his craft and a servant to aviation’s larger story. He is, without question, one of the finest pilots in any room he enters – but most importantly, he is one of the finest human beings as well,” she said.