Norman Ralston


Norman William Ralston was an American pilot.

Biography

During World War II, Ralston, known as "Swede", trained hundreds of Army pilots at the Rankin Air Academy in Tulare, California. Rankin Aeronautical Academy was a civilian flight school for the United States Army Air Corps.
As a stunt pilot, he operated a fleet of aircraft for Ralston Airshows. Ralston became famous for flying an AT-6 Texan through Naval Air Station Tillamook, a World War II Blimp Hangar, in Tillamook, Oregon. Ralston constructed the first commercial hangar at Hillsboro, Oregon and helped found the Hillsboro Airport. He co-founded the airline company Aero Air, a successful full service Fixed Based Operator.

Awards