Schiff Becomes Honorary Spokesperson for Philanthropic
Foundation
The Wolf Aviation Fund, noted for its long support of people
doing great work in General Aviation, is pleased to announce that
Captain Barry Schiff is now serving as its honorary spokesperson,
promoting the Fund and all those who have received its awards and
recognition. Barry, retired after a long time airline career for
TWA, has enjoyed a parallel career as a celebrated aviation writer,
with more than 1600 articles and dozens of books and videos to his
credit. He has earned worldwide recognition for his aviation
accomplishments and writing, which occurred during a career flying
almost 28,000 hours in more than 325 types of aircraft.
Many of Barry's articles celebrate those who champion aviation
as educators, airport advocates, and innovators in aviation. He
served for many years as Chairman of the Santa Monica Airport
Association, where he was directly involved in the battle to
preserve that airport in the 1980's, and later to preserve access
for general aviation in the skies of Southern California following
the sudden closure of the visual flight corridor over Los Angeles
International Airport, which was subsequently reopened.
Regarding his new office, Barry says, "I am delighted to be able
to volunteer in support of the Wolf Aviation Fund. Over the years I
have seen many wonderful programs and projects come alive because
of the support and recognition that have resulted from Wolf
Aviation Fund awards."
"In fact I received the Fund's very first grant in 1992, for my
proposal to create VFR Routing Charts through busy terminal control
areas. This grant encouraged me to persevere with this project,
which led to a greater understanding of how important it is to
maintain plenty of accessible airspace around busy metropolitan
areas. This enhances the flow of traffic, greatly reduces the
burden on air traffic control, and makes it possible for reliever
airports to remain viable and useful for communities and aviators
alike."
"I know first hand how much a Wolf Aviation Fund award means to
any individual or group struggling to bring some new program to
light. We should all think of how we can help make great things
happen in aviation."
Since that first grant the Wolf Aviation Fund has gone on to
provide more than 300 more awards, to individuals and groups
working to inspire children to learn from aviation, serve those in
need by flying as volunteer pilots, preserve our airports ranging
from mountain airstrips to large airfields, develop new
technologies and products, gather together to work together in
support of general aviation, and to learn how to tell their stories
and develop public support and recognition for their efforts. Barry
has helped the Fund previously, serving as a consultant and
volunteering his time to appear in a video as part of the "Lessons
Learned: First Aid Kit for Airports" project.
The Fund's Executive Director Rol Murrow notes, "We are truly
honored to have Barry support the Wolf Aviation Fund in this way.
He personifies not only the image of a consummate aviation
advocate, but also as 'every pilot's pilot,' helping all pilots
everywhere in becoming better aviators - and in fighting for
general aviation."
In addition to providing grants the Wolf Aviation Fund is
engaged in a campaign to raise additional funds which will permit
it to provide more awards for new projects and programs. Recently
the Fund has received more and more excellent proposals, yet not
all have been able to be funded.
"We have seen how the problems of our economy have negatively
affected aviation," says Murrow. "It has also made it especially
hard for those with small or startup projects to find the financial
support they need. This can be very discouraging.
"We welcome Barry's acting as our champion, encouraging those
who have enjoyed being able to fly or who have been successful in
aviation to contribute directly to the hundreds of folks and groups
we have supported, and to our Fund so we can support even more. Our
goal is to make their dreams come true."
The Wolf Aviation Fund is a 501 C 3 nonprofit foundation which
was created thanks to Alfred "Abby" and Constance "Connie" Wolf,
who left their estate for the purpose. Connie was a world record
setting gas balloonist and Abby was a prominent Philadelphia
attorney and one of the five founders of the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association.