Introduction

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Air Care Alliance (ACA) have created a set of national awards designed to recognize the contributions of those individuals in aviation who fly and volunteer for the benefit of others, public benefit flying organizations, and those who support them.

The National Public Benefit Flying Awards
Celebrating the work of volunteer pilots, other volunteers, their groups, other volunteer based charitable flying groups, and their supporters
Presented at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner, Washington DC Area

Aviation Volunteers Honored for Public Benefit Flying

Washington, DC, October 19, 2017 – The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), in partnership with the Air Care Alliance (ACA), a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017 Public Benefit Flying Awards.  These awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and their organizations engaged in flying to help others, as well as those supporting such work.

This year’s recipients are:

Distinguished Volunteer Pilot: 

Over the past 12 years, John Billings has completed 380 patient flights as a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic (AFMA).  At 94 years of age, Billings continues to average one patient transport per week and has been awarded AFMA’s pilot of the year award five times since 2009.

Distinguished Volunteer: 

The Legacy Flight Academy (LFA) is a non-profit organization that conducts character-based youth aviation programs that draw upon the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.  In 2017, Maj. Aaron Jones, Capt. Eric Johnson, and SSgt. Johnnie Blount were part of the core planning team for the LFA’s quarterly event, “Eyes Above the Horizon” in Valdosta, Georgia.  Their dedication and commitment to the event resulted in the largest and most successful “Eyes Above the Horizon” event to date.

Outstanding Achievement in Advancement of Public Benefit Flying:  

The Civil Air Patrol has distinguished itself as an exemplary organization in support of public benefit flying through its “shadow escort” flights for the Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing.  As part of the U.S. Air Force Reaper Training Program for pilots and sensor operators, Civil Air Patrol aircrews accompany the MQ-9 Reapers to and from Military Restricted Airspace for training exercises.  This support has helped save taxpayers over $1 million and has increased MQ-9 training by 25%.

Public Benefit Flying Teamwork Award:  

In the Fall of 2017, several national disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires, devastated enormous areas of South Texas, Florida and other states in the Gulf region, the islands of the Caribbean, and Northern California.  Within days and over the succeeding weeks, hundreds of volunteers from public benefit flying and other groups created a large relief effort providing rescue and critical aid to communities large and small throughout the affected regions.

Remember: this is not just about an individual award.  It is about recognizing and promoting the work of all the volunteer pilots and others who engage in this wonderful work.  “When we honor one we honor all!”

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Members of the 2017 Public Benefit Flying Selection Committee were Jeff Bennett, 2016 Distinguished Volunteer Pilot; Linda Daschle, President of LHD & Associates, Inc; Dan Meyer, Former President, Air Care Alliance; and Jane Nicolai, 2015 Distinguished Volunteer Pilot.

The Public Benefit Flying Awards were presented at NAA’s Fall Awards Dinner on November 29, 2017 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.  For more information, please visitwww.naa.aero.

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and to promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is the caretaker of some of the most important aviation awards in the world, and certifies all national aviation records set in the United States. For information, visit www.naa.aero.

   The Air Care Alliance is a nonprofit public service organization supporting the work of dozens of volunteer-based charitable organizations whose members fly to help others. ACA is devoted to fostering, enhancing, and promoting public benefit flying in the United States and other countries.  For information, visit www.aircarealliance.org .

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These awards are presented at the prestigious Fall Awards Program of the National Aeronautic Association, held each year in Washington DC.  In 2017 almost 300 attendees representing the national aviation associations, governmental agencies, and major aviation companies, plus prominent elected officials, gathered to celebrate the award recipients at a gala dinner.

Audience at Awards
The Audience at the NAA Public Benefit Flying Awards
To see stories and photos from the prior year’s 2016 Public Benefit Flying Awards see that page plus the NAA site above.

Thank You!

     … for thinking of how you can honor those who contribute so much to volunteer-based Public Benefit Flying!