Died: January 17, 2014
Inducted: 2026
Leo J. Kohn devoted his life to preserving, documenting, and promoting aviation. Although he earned his private pilot certificate in 1945 and flew more than 100 hours in 13 different aircraft types, his greatest contribution came through photography, writing, historical research, and his pioneering role in the growth of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Beginning in the 1940s, Leo developed an extraordinary collection of aircraft photographs. His images went far beyond simple airplane pictures. He meticulously recorded aircraft registrations, serial numbers, models, engines, colors, dates, locations, and other details, creating what was effectively an early aviation database. His collection ultimately grew to more than 30,000 negatives, providing an invaluable historical record used by authors, researchers, restorers, modelers, and aviation enthusiasts.
Kohn was a founding member of EAA and served as its official photographer, vice president, publicity chairman, and editor of The Experimenter, the publication that evolved into Sport Aviation. Through photographs, articles, and his influential “Chatting with the Chapters” column, he helped communicate the EAA story and played an important role in its early growth. He also participated in the organization’s early fly-ins and welcomed visitors to EAA’s first museum in Franklin, Wisconsin.
Leo was also an original member of the American Aviation Historical Society and contributed articles and material to numerous aviation publications and books. He served on the Mitchell Gallery of Flight’s board of directors.
Leo understood that aviation inspired countless people who might never become pilots. Through his photographs, writing and publication of the magazine Armchair Aviator, he brought aviation to anyone interested, preserving the aircraft, people, places, and stories of aviation for future generations.
Leo Kohn's enduring legacy is the remarkable historical record he created and the generations of aviators and aviation enthusiasts he inspired through his photography, writing, and lifelong devotion to aviation.