Going Above And Beyond In Journalism, Advocacy, And Government Service

AOPA honored three journalists for their fair, accurate, and insightful reporting of general aviation stories by presenting the 2007 Karant Awards at the Opening Luncheon of the 2007 AOPA Expo.

Jennifer Manley, of WVII-TV in Bangor, ME won for her short television feature that captured the interest of pilots and non-pilots alike.  In her first flight lesson, Manley showed viewers the ease at which she flew the airplane. Flying with an instructor, Manley took control of the aircraft in this inspiring "learn to fly" story. In the wake of the high-profile accident involving baseball star Cory Lidle, Manley's story emphasized the fact that pilots and flight instructors focus on safety and use checklists throughout each flight. She also described the training that all pilots go through before earning their certificate.

When Dave Hirschman's mom bought an airplane and needed to ferry it from Oklahoma to California, she invited her son to join her. Not only did Hirschman embrace the challenge of flying with his mom, but he also served as her flight instructor during the trip. He won a Karant Award for his article, published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which shows what many pilots learn the hard way - it's not always easy to fly with family. The touching and humorous story details what happens when a "foul-mouthed" mom and her "by-the-book" son strap into an RV-10 for a cross-country flight. Their bond clearly goes beyond their shared passion for aviation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune's David Hasemyer won his Karant Award for his series of articles about an office building that was constructed near San Diego's Montgomery Field, even after the FAA determined that it was a hazard because of its height. The City of San Diego eventually issued a stop work order on the construction and ordered the top two floors of this building be removed. Hasemyer's in-depth research and ongoing coverage of the issue, city politics, and miscommunication that led to the construction has been a nationwide example to cities who favor development near their airports.

The following journalists received honorable mentions in the 2007 Karant Awards: Tom Mayer, Sun Journal, New Bern, N.C., First Flight: On a wing and a pair; Maggie FitzRoy, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Beach, Fla., A Passion for Flight; Klint Lowry, The News-Herald, Southgate, Mich., Winging It: Program aims to encourage would-be pilots.

The Karant Awards honor "fair, accurate, and insightful" reporting on general aviation in the non-aviation media. They include categories for print, TV or video. The awards are named for the late Max Karant, founder of AOPA Pilot magazine and the association's first senior vice president.

Richard Beach (right), of San Diego, CA is the 2007 recipient of the Laurence P. Sharples Perpetual Award, given annually to a private citizen for selfless commitment to general aviation by a private individual. "Rick's tireless efforts to protect Montgomery Field from an obstruction that was deemed a hazard to air navigation is extraordinary," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "He is a national example of what all pilots can do when their airports are encroached upon."

Beach is the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for Montgomery Field in San Diego. When a 12-story building was planned less than one mile from the airport, he contacted the FAA, the California Department of Transportation, the City of San Diego, and AOPA to help stop the construction. FAA issued a hazard determination but construction continued.

Despite the FAA's determination, the developer continued to construct the building up to its planned height. Beach was determined to continue the fight, and worked with state and federal officials, provided flights and technical information to local reporters, and kept the local aviation community updated on the progress.

Even after the City of San Diego issued an order to stop work on the building and remove the top two floors, Beach continued to work with City Hall and monitor the developer's actions to ensure the building height was lowered. Beach's successful effort shows pilots across the country what can happen if they become involved and are passionate about their local airport. Beach is an instrument-rated pilot, and has been the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for Montgomery Field since 2003. He is also active with the Angel Flight program, and is a member and current president of the Community Airfields Association of San Diego.

US Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) was awarded the Association's prestigious Joseph B. Hartranft, Jr. "Doc" Award. Elected to Congress in 1988, Costello is currently serving his 11th term representing Illinois' 12th Congressional District and is his 19th year on Capitol Hill.

"Jerry (shown below) has been a longtime supporter and friend of general aviation," said Boyer. "That support has shown most recently in his leadership in proposing a bill for funding the FAA and air traffic modernization."

As chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Aviation Subcommittee, Costello held a record ten hearings on FAA issues in an effort to fully explore and understand the critical aviation needs to be addressed in FAA Reauthorization. This culminated in the introduction and passage by the House of his bill, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 (H.R.2881), which received wide praise from AOPA and the general aviation community. Realizing that the impact on general aviation would be devastating, Costello rejected the FAA and airline proposal to establish a user fee-funded system.

When describing the process to his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee, he explained, "We went into the reauthorization process with an open mind. We heard from the administration. We heard from all of the stakeholders, and came to the bipartisan conclusion that, instead of radically changing the current system, that we should stay within the current system and try and look at what is fair." While providing $13 billion for air traffic control modernization, Costello's bill ensures the FAA's progress will be closely monitored by the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Transportation's Inspector General. This thoughtful approach protects all users of the national airspace system, as well as the American taxpayers.

Costello is a vocal advocate for general aviation airports, and in 2003 helped negotiate the language to unlock the Aviation Trust Fund and ensure these dollars were utilized for the intended purpose. This landmark legislation established entitlement grants for general aviation airports under the Airport Improvement Program. Costello recognizes general aviation airports as vital, national assets, and his support for these types of facilities extends outside his district. He voted to support Meigs Field when the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act came before him in 2002.

In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, Costello worked with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact sensible changes for aviation security. He has questioned the purpose and need of the Washington, DC Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Most recently, he included language in his bill (H.R. 2881) that requires the FAA to outline its plans to decrease the operational impacts of the ADIZ and improve access to GA airports.

Costello's commitment to aviation safety showed when he learned about the problems with the flight service station modernization. He acted quickly in contacting the Administrator, initiating a committee investigation, scheduling a hearing, and inserting language in the FAA Reauthorization bill to address the problems. His language requires the FAA to monitor the staffing and training of flight service station specialist.

The Joseph B. Hartranft "Doc" Award is named for AOPA's first employee and president of the association for 38 years. It is awarded annually to the federal, state, or local government official who has made the most significant contribution during the year on behalf of general aviation.

FMI: www.aopa.org