You Are Invited to Board the 787 Dreamliner!

Take a walk through the spectacular Boeing 787 Dreamliner at this year's Collier Trophy Presentation Dinner on May 10, 2012. On an historic world tour, the Dreamliner will stop at Reagan National Airport and will serve as the backdrop for the 101st Presentation of the Collier Trophy at Signature Flight Support's Hangar 7. The reception and walk-throughs of the aircraft begin at 5:30 pm. Last chance to register to attend!  Click here for details on the event and to register.

Call for Nominations Open for Brewer Trophy

And Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award

   The nomination period for two of NAA's most important awards are now open.  Please consider nominating those you feel deserving of the recognition.

2003 Recipient Phil Woodruff presents the 2011 Brewer Trophy to Mark Smith for the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

   The Frank G. Brewer Trophy is awarded annually to an individual, a

   The Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award is given annually to honor outstandingAmericans who, by their efforts

2011 Distinguished Statesmen of Aviation (left to right) Jack Dailey, Len Pott, Jim Coyne and John Cashman.

over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves. Nominations are due to NAA by July 31. Click here for Nomination Guidelines and Submission information. Previous winners include Scott Crossfield, Barry Goldwater, Jimmie Doolittle, Godfrey Cabot, Olive Ann Beech, Igor Sikorsky, Fran Bera and many more.

June Luncheon to Feature  

Former Apollo Astronaut

   Eugene A. Cernan, (Captain, USN, Ret.), will be the featured speaker at NAA's June 26 Luncheon where he will reflect on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Program. The event will be at the Crystal Gateway Marriott and begins with a reception at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and the program at Noon. Click here to register to attend.

   During 20 years as a Naval Aviator, including 13 years with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Captain Cernan left his mark on history with three historic missions in space as the Pilot of Gemini IX, the Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo X, and the Commander of Apollo XVII. After flying to the moon not once, but twice, he also holds the distinction of being the second American to walk in space and the last man to have left his footprints on the lunar surface.

   Cernan once said, "Too many years have passed for me to still be the last man to have left his footprints on the Moon. I believe with all my heart that somewhere out there is a young boy or girl with indomitable will and courage who will lift that dubious distinction from my shoulders and take us back where we belong. Let us give that dream a chance." 

Mackay Trophy to be Awarded to

Air Force Pedro 83 Flight Crews

   Each year the Mackay Trophy is presented to the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons, or organization. The United State Air Force determines the winner and NAA presents the trophy to the winner at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner, which will be held on November 13, 2012.

   The winners of the 2011 Mackay Trophy are the crews of Pedro 83 Flight, who distinguished themselves in combat search and rescue operations on April 23, 2011 while assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

   Pedro 83 Flight executed the daring rescue of two United States Army pilots downed in enemy-controlled territory east of Bagram. During infiltration, Pedro 84 was struck by enemy fire, severely injuring the flight engineer.

   As Pedro 84 returned to base for medical treatment, Pedro 83 provided emergency close air support for pararescuemen on the ground, ultimately braving a hail of small arms fire to rescue a downed pilot. While low on fuel, damaged by enemy fire and battling multiple aircraft emergencies, Pedro 83 remained on scene until Pedro 84 returned with a reconstituted crew.

   Pedro 84 made two attempts to recover the second pilot and their isolated pararescueman team, who were surrounded by insurgents, but was repelled by heavy enemy fire. Although Pedro 84 had been hit more than 10 times and two crewmembers received damage to their protective equipment, they remained overhead until Pedro 83 returned.

   Pedro 83 flight made three approaches into the besieged landing zone, but was forced to go around after exchanging fire with a fortified enemy within 100 meters. On the fourth attempt, Pedro 83 was able to land and evacuate an Army soldier critically wounded during ground recovery attempts while Pedro 84 hoisted the second pilot and pararescueman team, successfully ending six hours of intense coalition rescue operations. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of the crews of Pedro 83 Flight reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.

   Pedro 83 crew members to be honored include Captain Joshua Hallada (Flight Lead), First Lieutenant Elliot Milliken (Co-Pilot), Senior Airman Michael Price (Flight Engineer), and Senior Airman Justin Tite (Aerial Gunner).

   Pedro 84 crew members to be honored include Major Philip Bryant (Mission Pilot), Captain Louis Nolting, Technical Sergeant James Davis, Technical Sergeant Heath Culbertson, and Technical Sergeant William Gonzalez .

   Guardian Angel Team crew members to be honored include Major Jesse Peterson (Guardian Angel Team Commander), First Lieutenant Aaron Hunter (Combat Rescue Officer), Master Sergeant Matthew Schrader (Pararescueman), Technical Sergeant Joshua Vanderbrink, Technical Sergeant Christopher Uriarte, Technical Sergeant Shane Hargis, Staff Sergeant Jason Ruiz, Staff Sergeant Angel Santana, Staff Sergeant Nathan Greene, Staff Sergeant Zachary Kline, and Staff Sergeant William Cenna.

Bronczek of FedEx Express Speaks

About Improving Airline Industry

   David Bronczek, President and CEO of FedEx Express, has an optimistic view of the future of aviation.

   Appearing at the April 2012 NAA Luncheon, he spoke of a worldwide airline industry that is cooperating and communicating more than ever, and of the infrastructure, sustainability, and profitability benefits that will flow from the NextGen air traffic control system when it is fully implemented.

   Bronczek has worked with FedEx Chairman, President, and CEO Fred Smith for 36 years, helping position FedEx Express as a dominant force in global shipping.  The company operates approximately 700 airplanes and handles an average of 11 million pounds of freight daily. The company ranks sixth on this year's Fortune list of the "World's Most Admired Companies," a designation Bronczek calls "a proud honor for nearly 300,000 FedEx team members around the world."

   He said, "Beyond serving our customers, FedEx has a larger mission in the world. We use the term 'Access' to describe what we provide people around the world.  It is a combination of connectivity, economic benefits and opportunities that we feel helps people and companies reach their potential.  Our network of people, aircraft, facilities, vehicles and information systems work around the clock and around the world to connect people and drive positive outcomes.

   The FedEx CEO spoke positively of the company's growing fleet of Boeing 777 wide-body freighters.  He called the 777s "remarkable" because of their efficient nonstop flight capability which gives FedEx a unique advantage in several key markets.  The aircraft, he said, is environmentally friendly because of its fuel efficiency and lower emissions.  The 777 also benefits customers, he explained, noting the freighter's range enables FedEx to fly between major markets and hubs in Asia, Europe and the U.S. with more freight and in less time, allowing later times for customers to drop off their shipments.

   Regarding the challenges facing commercial aviation in a period of consolidation and recovery, he pointed to fuel prices and infrastructure.

   Bronczek said fuel-price spikes erode profit margins for airlines, many of which face great financial challenges.  Every dollar increase in the price of oil adds $1.6 billion in cost to the aviation industry. On the infrastructure front, he said in the U.S. the industry is suffering from congested air space, which presently is managed with an outdated and labor-intensive air-traffic control system, which is greatly challenged to handle rising air traffic levels.  

Bronczek strongly supports development of the NextGen to address the infrastructure issue.  "It's a coordinated blend of equipment, policy and procedures that will allow aircraft to share data with each other as well as the controller on the ground," he said, adding that it will lead to a "more efficient use of airspace, increasing safety and providing airlines with optimal routing to save time and fuel, while making the aviation system greener."

   "The airline industry continues to face great challenges, but I'm optimistic the market will resume its growth trajectory for the longer term," he concluded.