EAA Members Honored by NAA

October 15, 2015 - The National Aeronautic Association recently announced the 2015 recipients for its multiple aviation awards, with many EAA members receiving recognition for their contributions and commitment to the flying community. Recipients of the awards are as follows:

2015 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy—Burt Rutan, EAA Lifetime 26033

The Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy was established in 1948 to recognize Americans who provide “significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.”

2014 Mackay Trophy—Capt. David A. Kroontje, EAA 876675, and Captain Gregory R. Balzhiser

Since 1912, the U.S. Air Force and the NAA have collaborated to award this trophy to the “most meritorious flight of the year by an Air Force person, persons, or organization.”

2015 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesmen of Aviation Award—Harold “Buck” Adams; Bill Boisture; Patrick Epps, EAA 104770; Ken Gazzola, EAA 819429; Allan McArtor, EAA 298195; Jay Pardee

Recipients of the Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award, established in 1954, are recognized for being “outstanding Americans who, by their efforts over an extended period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.”

2015 Public Benefit Flying Awards: Distinguished Volunteer Pilot—Steven Danz, EAA 663756, Angel Flight West and Jane Nicolai, LightHawk

Along with the Air Care Alliance, a nationwide body of humanitarian flying organizations, the NAA uses the Public Benefit Flying Awards to honor volunteers and their organizations who selflessly give their time using aviation to help society.

Paul Tissandier Diplomas—Randall Greene; Richard Hanson, EAA 1117044; and Mark Van Tine, EAA Lifetime 398757

The FAI established this award in 1952 for “those who have served the cause of Aviation and Sporting Aviation, by their work, initiative, and devotion or in other ways.”