NATA joins the aviation community in mourning the passing of pioneering aviator Wally Funk, who died July 8 at age 87. A member of the Mercury 13, Funk broke barriers throughout her distinguished career as the FAA’s first female inspector and the NTSB’s first female air safety investigator. In 2021, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling to space aboard Blue Origin’s first crewed flight.
“Wally Funk’s life embodied the courage, perseverance, and boundless sense of possibility that define aviation,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “She broke barriers throughout her extraordinary career and inspired generations to pursue opportunities once thought beyond reach. NATA joins the aviation community in honoring her remarkable legacy and extending our deepest condolences to all who knew and admired her.”
Funk’s pioneering spirit and unwavering determination leave an enduring mark on aviation and aerospace.