BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Brian Rau has been selected for induction into the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.

Rau will join the prestigious aviation hall of fame group that currently includes 43 other individuals who have all had a significant impact to growth, development, and promotion of aviation in North Dakota.

Brian Rau began his career in aviation in 1975 when he received his private pilot license. Brian’s start to aviation came from his father, who had been aerial spraying their farmland after gaining flight experience in Korea flying combat missions in an F-80. In 1979, Brian received his commercial pilot’s license and returned to his family farm after receiving a higher education degree in agronomy.

“Brian’s passion for flight grew as he established Medina Flying Service and since that time, he has become actively involved in the agricultural aviation industry at all levels – grower, local, state, regional, and national,” the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission states. “His passion about sustaining and growing the industry through technology and education while ensuring safety for all involved has helped him become well known as a leader within the aviation industry.”

Brian has been an active member of the Medina community for many years. In addition to being an agriculture pilot and grower, Brian has been a paramedic for 30 years and does EMS instruction for first responders. He has served many different roles on the fire department and on numerous occasions, he was also called upon to drop water and assist with wild fires that were either growing or moving fast.

Brian has been an active member of the North Dakota Agricultural Applicator Association for over 30 years. Over that time, Brian has also served on multiple national boards and committees and he has held leadership positions where he was able to advocate for the interests of North Dakota aviators. Brian was the chair of a national committee that developed the professional operating guidelines for the aerial application industry. That guiding document is now being used to develop international standards for the industry by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

He is currently a PAASS presenter (Professional Aerial Applicator Support System), a role in which he travels to state and regional Aerial Application Conferences to provide information to other Aerial Applicators regarding safety. Brian has also been a leader through the Recreational Aviation Foundation in advocating and promoting backcountry aviation to remote and scenic natural areas throughout the United States.

“Brian’s contributions to his community and to aviation across North Dakota and the Country has led to him deserving a place in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.”

Rau will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium banquet in Bismarck on March 5th.

You can find more about the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame here.