Three Aviators To Receive The Wright Master Pilot Award

The FAA honored three central Kentucky Aviators at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, Bluegrass Airport after a chili dinner for museum members, Saturday, March 20th.

Doctor George Gumbert, an aviation enthusiast and principal founder of the museum; Ed LaFontaine, a balloonist and former director of state aviation; and Lowell Wiley, a retired corporate pilot and flight instructor received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award for continuous involvement in aviation extending for 50 years or more.

This prestigious FAA award has only been previously awarded to 1570 aviators.  Five of those have been awarded in Kentucky,  with one such award going to Jon Norris Zachem, a Lexington resident who, according to FAA records, has had a long airline career. Several airline pilots live in the Bluegrass Region and commute to their respective home bases. Zachem received his award in 2009.

Following the FAA chili dinner and FAA Award Presentations, the 20th of March program in the Quarterly Historic Lecture series featured AMK's co-founder, Dr George Gumbert, with the topic:  "Thanks for the Memories."  "Doc" talked about his many happy years of flying as reflected in the FAA award.

FMI: www.aviationky.org