The National Aeronautic Association, in partnership with the Air Care Alliance, a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, has announced the recipients of the 2008 National Public Benefit Flying Awards.

This year's winners are:

• Distinguished Volunteer Pilot - Bruce Bromberg, Angel Flight Southeast
• Distinguished Volunteer - Larry Gabriel, Lifeline Pilots
• Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying - Lt. Col. Cynthia Ryan, Civil Air Patrol
• Teamwork - The Founders and Volunteers of Dreams on Wings, the Alabama Air National Guard, and GivingFlite
• Champion of Public Benefit Flying - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

These prestigious awards will be presented at the special "Above and Beyond" Awards Ceremony, at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2008, in the Lyndon B. Johnson room of the U.S. Senate.

The Public Benefit Flying Awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and their organizations engaged in flying to help others, and those supporting such work. Since 2003 dozens of awards have been presented at the celebratory Above and Beyond Awards Ceremony, held each fall in the United States Capitol Building.

In order to nominate someone for a 2009 Public Benefit Flying Award, please see complete information regarding the nominations procedures at the sites listed below.  

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and to promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is the caretaker of several major aviation awards, and certifies all world and national aviation records set in the United States. For information, visit

The Air Care Alliance is a nonprofit public service organization supporting the work of dozens of volunteer-based charitable organizations whose members fly to help others. ACA is devoted to fostering, enhancing, and promoting public benefit flying in the United States and other countries.

FMI: www.naa.aero, www.aircareall.org