Will Be Presented With Humanitarian Award At NBAA-BACE

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that aviation legend and air show performer Sean D. Tucker has been named the 2018 recipient of the Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership.

The award will be presented during the Oct. 16 Day 1 Keynote at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), which runs Oct. 16-18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The award recognizes Tucker and the Bob Hoover Academy, which Tucker co-founded in 2016, to inspire underprivileged youth through exposure to aviation.

“We are honored to recognize Sean Tucker for his humanitarian efforts to help underprivileged youth through his work with The Bob Hoover Academy,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO. “Through his many aviation and humanitarian efforts, Sean has long established himself as a proven leader whose positive attitude encourages others to pursue their passions.”

The Salinas, CA-based Bob Hoover Academy, which Tucker co-founded with his son Eric, is a non-profit corporation that seeks to inspire at-risk and underserved teens to engage in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education and learn to fly. Students earn admission into the Hoover Academy flight training program by completing its extensive ground training curriculum. They work toward a solo flight, and along the way learn to become accountable to themselves and their teammates.

Originally named “Every Kid Can Fly,” the Tuckers approached long-time friend and aviation legend Bob Hoover shortly before his passing in 2016, and asked if the program could be renamed after him. Hoover was an air show pilot, U. S. Air Force test pilot and fighter pilot. Known as the "pilot's pilot," Hoover revolutionized modern aerobatic flying and has been referred to in many aviation circles as one of the greatest pilots ever to have lived.

Tucker began his air show performance career in the mid-1970s, and has won numerous aerobatic competitions, having flown more than 1,275 performances at more than 525 airshows worldwide before more than 135 million fans. He has logged more than 20,000 hours flying time, which is equivalent to flying 24 hours a day for more than two years.

Created in 2006, NBAA’s Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership is named for Albert L. Ueltschi, who has been widely recognized for his lifetime of dedication to philanthropic causes, most notably in the development of the international non-profit organization ORBIS, which is dedicated to preventing blindness.

Past recipients of the award include: participants in the Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift; the Veterans Airlift Command; Corporate Angel Network; those involved in relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake, and hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate; FedEx Founder, Chairman, President and CEO Fred Smith and ORBIS. Learn more about the award.

NBAA-BACE is business aviation’s most important annual event, where participants have an unequaled opportunity to view the latest business aircraft, products, technology, and services the industry offers. Held this year at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando Executive Airport, the event also offers a premier networking venue and dozens of educational sessions.

(Source: NBAA news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.nbaa.org/events/bace/2018