From Astronauts To Model Aeronauts, Awards Span The Gamut Of Aviation

NAA will present several major awards and recognize recent aviation record setters at the annual NAA Fall Awards Banquet, to be held November 7 in Arlington, VA.

General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, U. S. Air Force will present the 2010 Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious Air Force flight of 2010 to the heroic members of the crews of Dude 01 and Dude 02: Lt Col Donald D. Cornwell, Lt Col Dylan T. Wells, Capt Leigh P. Larkin & 1st Lt Nicholas R. Tsougas for a flights in Boeing F-15Es in Afghanistan that saved the lives of 30 Coalition troops with no civilian casualties.

AMA Exec. Director Dave Mathews

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) will receive the prestigious Frank G. Brewer Trophy for Aviation Education "for exemplary accomplishment and collaborative work with numerous aerospace organizations across the nation to assist students, teachers and community leaders in understanding the science, skill and beauty of flight." The Brewer Trophy is presented annually for significant contributions of enduring value to aerospace education in the United States.

NAA President and CEO Jonathan Gaffney, Chairman of the Selection Committee, said, "I was very pleased with the quality of nominations we received for the Brewer Trophy, and I am particularly proud that the Academy of Model Aeronautics was named as the recipient for 2011.

Other awards to be presented include:

• 2011 Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman of Aviation Award to John Cashman, The Honorable Jim Coyne, Gen. Jack Dailey, USMC (Ret.) and Leon " Lenny" Potts.
• 2011 Katharine Wright Award winner Fran Bera.
• NCASE's 2011 Dr. Mervin Strickler, Jr. Aviation Education Leadership Award to Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Program and Dean E. Davis currently Chief Mission Systems Flight Test Engineer for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' F-35 Lighting II.

Also to be presented are several Fédération Aéronautic International (FAI) Awards:

• Tissandier Diploma to Brian Utley for service to aviation through his dedicated  work, initiative and devotion.
• Jade Schiewe and Zachary Pfaff will receive The FAI Outstanding Airmanship Diploma for piloting a fiery airplane to a safe landing.
• Montgolfier Ballooning Diplomas to Albert F. Padelt and John R. Petrehn.
• US National and World Record Setters including the human powered rotorcraft flight of Gamera, a project from the University of Maryland.
   

  

In December, Lt. General Thomas Patten Stafford, USAF (Ret.) (pictured) will receive the prestigious 2011 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for his pioneering achievements that have led the way to the moon, to greater international cooperation in space, and to a safer America. NAA established this award in 1948 to honor the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The trophy is awarded annually to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.

NAA Chairman Walter Boyne lauded the choice. "General Stafford's manifold contributions to aviation and space are properly recognized with this award. His heroic leadership in national and international space triumphs will be an inspiration for future generations."

In his long and distinguished career, General Stafford has been a fighter pilot, flight instructor, distinguished test pilot, pioneering astronaut, aerospace record setter, author and an advisor to federal agencies and U.S. Presidents alike. He established a successful pattern that leads directly from the Gemini missions to the International Space Station. His Apollo X mission was a pathfinder that laid the foundation for the successful lunar landings. Lt. General Stafford will receive the award at the Wright Memorial Dinner on Friday, December 16,

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