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Robert J. Collier Trophy Dinner
June 9, 2016
Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City Arlington, Virginia
Honoring the 2015 Collier Trophy Recipient The NASA/JPL Dawn Mission Team
6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Award Program
Black Tie or Service Dress Equivalent $225 Per Seat, $2,250 Per Table of 10
Thank you to our Collier Dinner Sponsor:
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NASA/JPL Dawn Mission Team to Receive the 2015 Collier Trophy
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| ![](https://static.ctctcdn.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif) | The NASA/JPL Dawn Mission Team at the NAA Spring Awards Dinner |
At the Spring Awards Dinner on March 8, 2016, NAA announced that the NASA/JPL Dawn Mission Team has been named the recipient of the 2015 Robert J. Collier Trophy in recognition of "... the extraordinary achievements of orbiting and exploring protoplanet Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres, and advancing the nation's technological capabilities in pioneering new frontiers in space travel."
The Collier Selection Committee, comprised of 32 individuals from throughout the aerospace industry, met earlier in the day to listen to presentations from each of the seven nominees.
The Robert J. Collier Trophy is awarded annually "... for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."
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Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy Awarded to Joni E. Kelsey
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| ![](https://static.ctctcdn.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif) | Joni E. Kelsey accepting the Stinson Trophy at the NAA Spring Awards Dinner |
Joni E. Kelsey was awarded the Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy at the NAA Spring Awards Dinner on March 8, 2016 for "...dedicating 40 years as an aircraft maintainer and electrician and blazing a path for women in the Air Force through her commitment to training and mentoring female airmen."
The Stinson Trophy was created in 1997 by NAA to honor the accomplishments of two sisters - Katherine and Marjorie Stinson. These sisters were among the first 11 American women to be certified as airplane pilots through the Aero Club of America (the predecessor of NAA). Their flying school helped numerous U.S. and foreign pilots to earn their Aero Club licenses, the precursor to FAA pilot certificates.
The trophy recognizes a living person for "...an outstanding and enduring contribution to the role of women in the field of aviation, aeronautics, space, or related sciences."
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Air Sport Organization News
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U.S. Parachute Team and Skydiving World Record
The 2016 U.S. Canopy Piloting Team Photo by Curt Vogelsang
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The U.S. Parachute Association named its 2016 U.S. Canopy Piloting Team at the USPA National Championships of Canopy Piloting on April 6-8 at Skydive City Zephyrhills in Florida. In canopy piloting, often called "swooping", skydivers fly their high-performance parachutes through narrow slalom-like courses for hundreds of yards across the ground and over water at speeds approaching 90 mph. The championships drew 55 competitors and included speed, distance and accuracy events.
This year's championships had high stakes, as the top eight finishers earned slots on the prestigious U.S. Parachute Team that will compete at the 2016 World Championships this August in Farnham, Canada. The new team includes National Champion Curt Bartholomew, Thomas Dellibac, Ian Bobo, Greg Windmiller, Matt Shull, Gage Galle, Mikeal Stevens, Albert Berchtold, and alternate Joe Abeln.
In other skydiving news, an international team of 72 skydivers claimed a new world record for largest upright formation on April 9th at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. The group surpassed the previous world record of 52 set in November 2014 at Skydive Arizona. For the record, the skydivers exited four aircraft in formation at 18,000 feet to link up in a pre-determined formation while flying in an upright, or sit-fly, position. This record is pending approval from the F�d�ration A�ronautique Internationale.
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The 72-person upright formation that skydivers are claiming as a new World Record
Photo by Gustavo Cabana
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IAC Announces 2016 Airventure Theme and Exhibit
International Aerobatic Club (IAC) has announced its theme for EAA AirVenture 2016 along with its plans for an exhibit during one of the world's largest aviation events. The 2016 theme will be "Grass Roots to the Top of the World" and the exhibit will provide an overview of IAC, aerobatics, and the menu of choices that are available to IAC members and enthusiasts for becoming involved in aerobatics.
IAC began in 1970 with the goal of promoting "grass roots" aerobatics, that is, to bring aerobatics to the local and regional areas through chapters and regional competitions. It has also provided guidance to those who wish to learn aerobatics to improve their pilot skills and to gain the self-confidence and ability to control their aircraft in all flight regimes. IAC has promoted various safety and awards programs, sponsors the US National Aerobatic Championships every year, and administers the US Aerobatic Teams in both power and glider. The exhibit, which will be shown at the IAC Pavilion at AirVenture, will feature all of these aspects of aerobatics -- from learning to fly aerobatics, becoming involved locally in chapters, and all the way up to US involvement in world competition. AirVenture will take place in Oshkosh, WI on July 25-31, 2016 and the IAC Pavilion will be open every day.
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IAC to Move US Nationals in 2017
In his monthly column for Sport Aerobatics magazine for May, IAC President Mike Heuer discusses the decision of the IAC Board to move the US National Aerobatic Championships to Oshkosh in 2017. Please click here to read the column in its entirety.
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2016 Godfrey L. Cabot Award
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| ![](https://static.ctctcdn.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif) | Clay Lacy, Founder, Clay Lacy Aviation |
The Aero Club of New England (ACONE) will present its prestigious Godfrey L. Cabot Award to Mr. Clay Lacy, Founder, Clay Lacy Aviation, to honor his lifetime achievements in many facets of aviation. The award will be presented at a luncheon in Boston, MA at the historic Harvard Club on Friday, June 10, 2016. For additional information, contact Georgia Pappas
The Godfrey L. Cabot Award is one of the most prestigious of American aviation awards, bestowed by the Aero Club of New England, the oldest aero club in the Americas, to individuals or teams who have made unique and unparalleled contributions to encourage and advance aviation and space flight.
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Annual ACONE Crash Course Safety Seminar
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George Perry, AOPA Air Safety Institute, Senior VP
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Again this year, the Aero Club of New England sponsored the 2016 Crash Course Safety Seminar on March 21st, held at the Doubletree Hotel in Bedford, MA.
Over 300 pilots attended to hear the seminars titled The 80:20 Rule in GA Safety, presented by Paul Diette, VP, ACONE; and Human Factors & Decision Making, presented by George Perry, AOPA Air Safety Institute's Senior VP. In addition, the program included a comprehensive review of local aviation accidents by Paul Diette.
Crash Course Safety Seminar is supported annually by the local aviation business community.
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Reaching for the Stratosphere - In a Glider
Veteran research test pilot and world record holder Einar Enevoldson spoke at the Aero Club of Northern California's Spring Luncheon on March 31, 2016, discussing engineering design and flight challenges in flying a sailplane -- the 90,000-foot-capable Perlan 2 high altitude glider - to heights never before achieved.
On August 29, 2006, Enevoldson and Steve Fossett, flying the Perlan Mission I, broke the altitude record for gliders by soaring up to 50,726 feet in a standard glider using stratospheric waves of air.
Perlan Project is currently working on Airbus Perlan Mission II, with Airbus Group as the lead sponsor. The project goal is to fly the pressurized high-altitude Windward Performance Perlan II glider higher than any other manned wing-borne aircraft has ever flown in sustained flight using stratospheric mountain waves and the polar vortex. The overall objective of the project is to show that sailplane flight well into the middle stratosphere-can be done safely, repeatedly and economically.
Enevoldson is a lifelong glider pilot, former jet fighter pilot in the USAF, and an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force. He served as a test pilot on the Hawker Hunter, English Electric Lightning, and Gloster Javelin British fighter aircraft. From 1968 until 1986, he was a NASA research pilot at the Dryden Flight Research Center. He was twice awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal as well as the U.S. Air Force's Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew the SR-71/YF-12A, F-111, F-14, F104, and the X-24B lifting body.
When he retired from NASA, Enevoldson became chief test pilot for the Grob Egrett and was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the German Air Force. Enevoldson set the absolute altitude record for all turboprop aircraft. He was the test pilot for the Grob Strato 2C, an advanced, all carbon, very high-altitude, propeller driven aircraft, built to carry two pilots, two scientists and 2,000 pounds of scientific instruments.
| Einar Enevoldson speaking at the Aero Club of Northern California's Spring Luncheon |
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Statesman of Aviation Tom Leonard Dies at 93
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| ![](https://static.ctctcdn.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif) |
Thomas E. Leonard
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Thomas E. Leonard, the Aero Club of Northern California's 2014 Crystal Eagle honoree, died on February 27, 2016 at the age of 93. Leonard was one of the founders of the Aero Club of Northern California in 1983, and was on the board of directors. In 2004, Leonard was named an Elder Statesman of Aviation (now named Distinguished Statesman of Aviation) by the National Aeronautic Association for his contributions of significant value to aeronautics.
He is probably best known for his more than four decades of work as a professor and chairman of San Jose State University's aviation department, where he made the program the flagship aviation program in California, sending thousands of graduates into the aviation industry. He retired in 1985, but continued to serve as chairman emeritus until recent years. Under his guidance, San Jose State developed an aeronautics facility in the early 1960's at San Jose's then-municipal airport, where the program operated for 50 years. It now is housed in facilities at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose.
Leonard worked for Pan American World Airways on the famed China Clipper seaplanes at the airline's Treasure Island base in 1942-43, and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943-44. He earned his aeronautical engineering degree from Cal Poly State College at San Luis Obispo in 1946 and later that year joined the faculty at San Jose State, where he focused his time, energy and talent to nurture a new aviation program. He earned his master's degree at San Jose State in 1956.
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Volunteers Try to Save Iconic Radar Tower
The Aero Club of Northern California co-sponsored with the Hiller Aviation Museum to put on a well-attended January 10, 2016 presentation on the History of Almaden Air Force Station atop Mount Umunhum overlooking San Jose.
During the Cold War, this was the site of a huge radar array that searched for unfriendly, incoming bombers. At that time, San Francisco, and many other cities, were ringed by Nike missiles to counter the threat of Soviet bombers.
The huge 120-foot, 85-ton radar array that used to be mounted on top the building was removed after the Air Force station was decommissioned in 1980.
Historian and archivist Basim Jaber, who is a director of the Umunhum Conservancy, presented the program. The conservancy is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Mount Umunhum and its historic radar tower.
The mountain is owned by the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District, which plans to demolish the iconic radar tower. The district has given the conservancy until October 2017 to raise $1.5 million to preserve the tower. To date, they've raised approximately 20 percent of the funds needed.
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Aero Club President Max Trescott (center) talks with Sam Drake (left) and Basim Jaber of the Umunhum Conservancy.
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Apollo Astronaut Jim Lovell Received the 2015 Howard Hughes Memorial Award from the Aero Club of Southern California
Captain James A, Lovell, Jr. received the Aero Club of Southern California's 2015 Howard Hughes Memorial Award at a banquet at the Jonathan Club, Los Angeles on February 10, 2016.
Established in 1978 by the Club and the Hughes family, the award is presented annually to an aerospace leader whose accomplishments have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology. The award was presented by actor Tom Hanks, who played Lovell in the movie "Apollo 13." Lovell is a former NASA astronaut and a retired captain in the United States Navy, most famous as the commander of the Apollo 13 mission, which suffered a critical failure en route to the Moon but was brought back safely to Earth by the efforts of the crew and mission control. Lovell was also the command module pilot of Apollo 8, the first Apollo mission to enter lunar orbit. He is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is one of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon, the first of only three people to fly to the Moon twice, and the only one to have flown there twice without making a landing. He was also the first person to fly in space four times. In the Navy, Lovell specialized in all-weather aircraft carrier night flying and served as program manager for the F4H Phantom fighter. In 1962 NASA selected him to serve in the second group of astronauts for the Gemini program.
Previous recipients of the Award, in chronological order, are Jack Northrop, Jimmy Doolittle, Pat Hyland, Bob Six, Kelly Johnson, Chuck Yeager, Ed Heinemann, Barry Goldwater Sr., Pete Conrad, Allen Paulson, Si Ramo, Jack Real, Ben Rich, Clifton Moore, Lee Atwood, Harry Wetzel, Bobbi Trout, Tom Jones, Allen Puckett, Paul MacCready, John Brizendine, Willis Hawkins, Sam Iacobellis, Kent Kresa, Neil Armstrong, Frank Robinson, Burt Rutan, Eileen Collins, James Albaugh, Ron Sugar, Bob Hoover, Fred Smith, Clay Lacy, Steven Udvar-Hazy, Edward Stone and Elon Musk.
| Actor Tom Hanks (right center) presents the 2015 Howard Hughes Memorial Award to James Lovell (left center), while Aero Club of Southern California President John Stammreich (left) and Vice President Nissen Davis (right) look on.
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Aero Club of Washington Luncheon Series
The Aero Club of Washington has had a great start to 2016!
Dave Vos from Google X spoke at the January Luncheon and TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger addressed the February Luncheon crowd. In March, Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) participated in a Congressional Roundtable discussion. Lori Aratani, transportation reporter from the Washington Post, joined the head table for the March luncheon. The next Aero Club of Washington luncheon will be held on April 28 th and will feature guest speaker Richard Anderson, CEO, Delta Air Lines. For more information, please visit http://www.aeroclub.org/events/.
| Dave Vos speaking at the January Aero Club of Washington Luncheon |
| TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger (left) Aero Club of Washington President Margaret Jenny (right), at the February Aero Club of Washington Luncheon |
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Washington Post transportation reporter, Lori Aratani (left), Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) (center), and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) (right), participate in the Aero Club of Washington's March Congressional Roundtable.
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Atlanta Aero Club News
The Atlanta Aero Club Luncheon on March 17th was honored with guest speaker, AOPA President and CEO, Mark Baker. Mr. Baker is only the 5th President of the AOPA Foundation since it was founded in 1932. AOPA is the largest aviation association in the world with over 300,000 members.
The AAC meeting was held at The Capital City Club in Atlanta and with close to 150 members and guests in attendance, Mr. Pat Epps presented the Epps Award to Julius Alexander. Mr. Alexander is running the Aviation Career Enrichment (ACE) Academy at Fulton County Airport.
Since 1980, the ACE Academy has worked hard to address the lack of minorities in aerospace and aviation jobs. ACE Academy is a non-profit flight training to inspire young people to encourage them to stay in school and complete their education.
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June 9, 2016
6:00 p.m. - Reception
6:30 p.m. - Dinner & Award Presentation
Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, Arlington
Summer Awards Ceremony
June 15, 2016
6:00 p.m. - Reception
7:00 p.m. - Awards Ceremony
Sheraton, Pentagon City, Arlington
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Nomination Period: April 1 - August 31
Nomination Period: April 15 - July 15
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Show your support for NAA
Order NAA merchandise here
Membership Plaques
Baseball Caps
Polo Shirts
T-shirts
Sweatshirts
Leather Jackets
Duffle Bags
Cooler Bags
Stadium Blankets
For Record Holders:
National Certificate of Record
World Deplome de Record
Record Holder Pen
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Records Claimed
December 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016
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Aeroplanes
Speed Over a Recognized Course:
London, UK to Hartford, CT: 436.12 mph*
Shonin Casey Davis & Samuel R. Bennett
Class C-1.j, Group III (Jet)
Embraer Legacy 650
2 Rolls-Royce
Allison AE 3007
1/3/2016
Salinas, CA to Savannah, GA: 599.04 mph*
Nicholas A. Rose &
Ross D. Oetjen
Class C-1.k, Group III (Jet)
Gulfstream G650ER
2 Rolls-Royce BR725
2/15/2016
Fort Lauderdale, FL to Jacksonville, FL:
158.22 mph*
Joseph M. Weinberg &
Iva Meadows
Class C-1.c, Group I (Internal Combustion)
Beechcraft Bonanza A36
1 Continental IO-550
3/6/2016
Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles, CA: 590.39 mph*
William T. Baker, Erik A. Kauber & Jon G. Wolfe
Class C-1.m, Group III (Jet)
Gulfstream G650ER
2 Rolls-Royce BR725
3/11/2016
Aerostats
Duration: 9 hrs 26 min
Gregory J. Winker
Class AX-3, Hot Air,
400 < 600 cubic meters,
General N20
Sioux Falls, SD
1/10/2016
Gliders
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 300 km: 189 mph
James M. Payne
Class DM2, Motorglider, Multiplace, General
Schempp-Hirth Arcus M
Rosamond, CA
3/13/2016
Parachutes
Large Formation Sequential: 25 skydivers,
2 formations (Team 1)
Simultaneous record in Class G-2, Performance, Canopy Formation, General
Lake Wales, FL
1/24/2016
Large Formation Sequential: 25 skydivers,
2 formations (Team 2)
Simultaneous record in Class G-2, Performance, Canopy Formation, General
Lake Wales, FL
1/24/2016
Large Formation Sequential: 18 skydivers,
7 formations
Class G-2, Performance, Canopy Formation, General
Perris Valley, CA
2/22/2016
Except where noted by an asterisk (*), information is preliminary and subject to approval.
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Jonathan Gaffney
Director,
Contest & Records
Director,
Awards & Events,
Director,
Administration & Membership
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