Submitted Photo Warren Pietsch, center, holds a plaque award honoring the late Al Pietsch for his induction into the Air Show Hall of Fame, and at his right is Kent Pietsch. Both are sons of Al Pietsch. From the left are Kent’s wife Marney; Warren’s wife Jolene; and Warren’s and Jolene’s son and daughter and Al Pietsch’s grandchildren, Markita Pietsch and Logan Pietsch. Photo by Larry Grace Photography.

The late air show performer Al Pietsch of Minot was inducted into the prestigious International Council of Air Shows Foundation Air Hall of Fame.

The induction was held at an award presentation on Dec. 12 during the ICAS convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to ICAS information.

From 1968 through 1995, Pietsch performed throughout the U.S. and Canada in his Stolp Starduster Too, a homebuilt biplane. During the latter stages of his air show flying, he performed with his two sons, Kent and Warren, creating a multi-ship, multi-act flying circus. Pietsch was a founding member of the ICAS, a member of the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame and an honorary member of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. He was killed in an aviation accident in 1995.

The inscription on the plaque award presented to Pietsch family members during the award presentation reads the honor is “in recognition of his contributions as an air show performer, entertainer and trailblazer.”

Two people are inducted into the Air Show Hall of Fame each year. Announcer Rob Reider was also inducted this year. During the last three decades, Reider had established himself as both a top air show narrator and a tireless advocate for the air show business. He finished his air show career at the Blue Angels Homecoming Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola earlier this year.

Pietsch and Reider join a fraternity of air show icons in the Air Show Hall of Fame.

The awards banquet is held on the last night of the ICAS convention, at which most air show participants come to plan air shows and book acts. There were 1,900 people registered.