Colonel Joe Kittinger, USAF, an aviation and aerospace pioneer for more than five decades who set two world ballooning records and won numerous ballooning competitions, was honored with the Cliff Henderson trophy at the June 2013 NAA luncheon.

NAA Chairman Walter Boyne presents the Cliff Henderson Trophy to Colonel Joe Kittinger.

   The Cliff Henderson Trophy is awarded to "...a living individual, group of individuals, or an organization whose vision, leadership or skill made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and advancement of aviation and aerospace in the United States."

   Kittinger took the "highest step in the world" on August 16, 1960, when he made history as he ascended to 102,800 feet in a high-altitude balloon and jumped to earth. Most recently, Kittinger provided capsule communications as the primary point of radio contact with Felix Baumgartner in the Red Bull Stratos Project, which set three world skydiving records in 2012.

   Sherry Butcher, President of the United States Parachute Association, introduced Kittinger at the luncheon, explaining that he "changed forever the world of skydiving and enabled many more people to enjoy skydiving. His quest for knowledge had many unintended benefits. He stimulated interest in aviation over several decades."

   She added that Kittinger accomplished many things that did not receive enough recognition, including inventing tandem skydiving equipment, which is the basis for skydiving training around the world.

   In accepting the trophy, Kittinger said," I am here representing a lot of people - teammates who made my flights possible. You cannot do these things by yourself. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who are a lot smarter than I am."

   He specifically praised the hard work of Art Thompson over the course of seven years as technical project director for the Red Bull Stratos Project. "He made the flight happen," Kittinger said. "Thank you for a job well done."

   Kittinger is also an NAA Distinguished Statesman of Aviation, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement in Aviation trophy from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, was made an honorary U.S. Army Golden Knight, and is enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame, and the National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame. He has logged more than 16,800 hours of flying time in over 93 aircraft. His adventures are detailed in his autobiography, "Come Up and Get Me."

Art Greenfield Awarded the FAI Silver Medal

   Member Nations of the F�d�ration A�ronautique Internationale (FAI) recently voted to award the FAI Silver Medal to Art Greenfield, the NAA Director of Contests and Records.

The FAI Silver Medal is "reserved for persons who have occupied high office in FAI or in an aeronautical organization in one of its member countries, and in the discharge of their duties have shown exceptional powers of leadership and influence, to the benefit of the whole international air sport community." Only one silver medal is awarded annually.

   NAA Chairman Walter Boyne said, "This is sensational news. It is wonderful to see Art recognized properly for his unparalleled achievements. It is a joy to work with Art and watch the manner in which he conducts what could be very sensitive business. He is thoughtful, persuasive, comprehensive, and always courteous, so that everyone involved knows that they are getting the best possible treatment."

   "Art has served as the Director of Contest and Records for over 20 years and is one of the world's leading experts in the recording and certifying of aviation and aerospace records," said NAA President and CEO Jonathan Gaffney. "We are so proud of him and the great service he continues to provide to NAA and the aeronautics community."

   Brian Utley, a member of the Contest and Records Board, added, "In my 10 years on the Contest and Records Board, Art has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the integrity and quality of the FAI records process. As such, the FAI, the NAA and the sporting aviation community have benefited immeasurably from his service."

   "It's a tremendous honor to receive such recognition from FAI for the work I've done over the years," Greenfield said. "I never could have imagined all of the fascinating people and various projects that I would become involved with here at NAA - or how many milestones in aviation that I would witness. There are so many people that deserve my thanks, but none more so than the hardworking members of our Contest and Records Board who help oversee many of the record attempts and who I count on for their vast expertise."

   During the past four years, five Americans have received an FAI Gold or Silver Medal - Captain Gene Cernan, USN (Ret.) (FAI Gold Medal); Baron Hilton (FAI Gold Medal); Elon Musk (FAI Gold Space Medal); Mike Heuer (FAI Silver Medal), and now Greenfield.

NAA and Air Care Alliance Announce

National Public Benefit Flying Awards

   NAA and the Air Care Alliance, a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, announced the recipients of the 2013 National Public Benefit Flying Awards. This year's recipients are:

Distinguished Volunteer Pilot:

   Hank Stoebenau, Angel Flight East, for demonstrating extraordinary commitment, generosity, and dedication to the mission of Angel Flight East for over 13 years by serving as a pilot, organizer, and board member.

Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying:

   AERObridge for creating a nationwide network of volunteer aircraft owners, operators, FBOs, and pilots willing to donate their time, effort, and funding for the alleviation of the suffering of those in need due to disaster or circumstance - all of which was put to use in their tremendous response in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

   The Civil Air Patrol, also in response to Hurricane Sandy, which provided a remarkable level of support and information regarding damage, impact, and surveillance which was crucial to the recovery efforts as well as setting a new standard of service for future natural disasters.

Public Benefit Flying Teamwork Award:

   ORBIS and FedEx, in recognition of their 30-year partnership in public benefit flying to fight blindness and vision impairment around the world through the use of flying eye hospitals and medical personnel which have aided more than 18 million people since the program's inception.

Champion of Public Benefit Flying:

   The Air Safety Institute's "Public Benefit Flying: Balancing Safety and Compassion" online course for increasing public benefit flying's safety culture by helping volunteer pilots manage risk and avoid harm.

   The Greater Washington Aviation Open for over 25 years of fundraising efforts to benefit organizations flying cancer patients, wounded warriors, and educating future aviation leaders while bringing the entire aviation community together, "Fore a Great Time...Fore a Great Cause."

   "The recipients of the 2013 Public Benefit Flying Awards demonstrate again the diversity of public benefit flying in America and the many different people who benefit from it," said NAA President and CEO Jonathan Gaffney.

   Air Care Alliance Chairman Rol Murrow added, "We honor these recipients not only for their own contributions but also because they represent all those others who fly patients for care, respond following disasters, provide educational flights for youth, protect our environment, help our veterans, and provide support in many other ways to those in need. We truly enjoy working with NAA to celebrate these worthy individuals and groups."

   Members of the 2013 PBF Selection Committee were Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of NAA (Chairman of the Selection Committee); Linda Daschle, LHD and Associates; Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Karen Gebhart, VP of Business Development, Helicopter Association International; and Lindy Kirkland, Rick Durden, and Judy Benjamin of the Air Care Alliance.

   The Public Benefit Flying Awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and their organizations engaged in flying to help others, and those supporting such work. These prestigious awards will be presented at the NAA Fall Awards Banquet on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. To nominate someone for a 2014 Public Benefit Flying Award, visit www.naa.aero or www.aircareall.org.    

Oshkosh!

   If you have a "bucket list" of aviation things to do at least once in your life, you need to put a visit to "Oshkosh" on your list. (And, of course, that means the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture).

Many industry leaders spoke at EAA AirVenture. Shown here (left to right) are Jack Pelton, Chairman of EAA; Craig Fuller AOPA; Ed Bolen, NBAA; Matt Zaccaro, HAI; Tom Hendricks, NATA; Pete Bunce, GAMA; Henry Ogrodzinski, NASAO; and Mac McLellan EAA.

    In just a few days you can see friends and colleagues; see the newest General Aviation aircraft produced, meet numerous leaders in the industry (see photo), take a flight on a Ford Tri-Motor, attend literally a hundred seminars and presentations (I even presented), go to a movie, buy a plane/sell your plane, camp, and walk 20 miles doing it all (or take the tram).

   But the best thing about it is that it is 99 percent aviation everywhere.

   I would really, really recommend that you make a visit for a few days (or the entire week). Unlike just about everything else we do in our professional lives, this is an event you can bring your family to (I alternate our twin sons) and you can wear shorts and sneakers.

   It is one of the great spectacles in aviation in the world.

Jonathan Gaffney

  NAA President and CEO

Steve Dickson of Delta Airlines

Speaks to Atlanta Aero Club

Shown from left to right are AAC Vice President Elaine Weatherby, Steve Dickson, and AAC member Cheryl Galloway.

   Steve Dickson, Senior Vice President of Delta Airlines, spoke to the Atlanta Aero Club (AAC) at its July luncheon at the Capital City Club. With a group of about 75 guests and members in attendance, Dickson announced that Delta will hire 300 pilots starting November 2013, its first pilot hiring since 2010. The company will also add 50 pilots per month from November 2013 through January 2014, then about 20 per month through September 2014.

   The next AAC luncheon on September 16 will feature keynote speaker Hal Shever, Founder and Chairman of Sportsman's Market and Sporty's Academy, along with Sporty's Pilot Shop, a mail order enterprise. Sporty's was founded in 1961. The event will be held at the Capital City Club in Atlanta and begins at 11:30 a.m. for socializing with the lunch starting at Noon.