Honored For Pioneering Contributions To Aviation

Legendary aviator and entrepreneur Clay Lacy was honored with the Pathfinder Award at the Seattle Museum of Flight this past Saturday. An airline captain, experimental test pilot, air race champion, aviation record-setter, aerial cinematographer and entrepreneur, Clay has touched upon more aspects of aviation than perhaps any other pilot.

Clay Lacy

In 1964, Clay flew the first Learjet into Van Nuys Airport near Los Angeles, shaping a new era in corporate air transportation and mobility. He went on to found the first jet charter company on the West Coast in 1968 and has accumulated more hours flying jets than anyone on Earth. Although his name is well-known throughout the global aviation industry, I believe there's still a story to be shared about how a young boy from the Midwest helped revolutionize the general aviation industry by following his dreams with passion. 

As part of the NBAA's annual convention, on October 20, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt will also present Clay with a Wright Brothers Master Pilot Certificate for his milestone achievements. Other recipients include Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan and Bob Hoover, whose stories are featured in Clay's recently-published biographical book "Lucky Me."

FMI: www.claylacy.com