The Award Was Established In 2006

The Ninety-Nines have named Rod Machado as its 2020 George Palmer Putnam Award winner at its annual meeting on July 11, 2020.

The award, established in 2006 to recognize the support provided to The 99s by an individual or organization outside of The 99s, is named after Amelia Earhart's husband. Earhart was The 99s' first president.

Rod's support for The 99s precedes his 33-year marriage to 99 Diane Titterington-Machado. He assists her with 99 projects, having donated training materials to winners of an aviation essay contest and working at chapter events among other activities. He taught many 99s to fly, provides recurrent and proficiency training, and helps them improve their knowledge, skills, and ability. On several occasions, he served as a judge for the 99s Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship program and was the keynote speaker at the 2002 Ninety-Nines International Conference. Rod donated numerous Private Pilot Handbooks to 99s chapters, and the chapters distributed copies to high school libraries across the United States to encourage teens to fly. His personalized brick in the walkway at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, KS, was a gift from a 99s chapter. 

Rod holds degrees in Aviation Science and Psychology. He started flying at age 16, is an Airline Transport Pilot and a Certificated Flight Instructor in single and multiengine airplanes and for instrument airplane. He has taught millions the basics of flying through flying lessons and his highly successful simulation and training materials. He designed the lessons and is the instructor voice on Microsoft's Flight Simulator program. Rod was a columnist for AOPA Pilot magazine for 18 years and Flight Training magazine for 25 years. His dozens of online courses and books simplify difficult concepts for all levels of learners, from students through advanced pilots, and his many free videos designed to help pilots improve their flying skills are on YouTube.

Judges for the Award included Brig. General Lise Bourgon, Director General - Operations, Canadian Armed Forces; and Bernard Gervais, President and CEO, Canadian Owners and Pilots Association.

FMI: www.ninety-nines.org