Astronaut Gene Cernan and legendary pilots Scott Crossfield and Bob Hoover will present the 2005 Combs Award during the Opening General Session of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 58th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2005) on Wednesday, November 9, in Orlando, FL.

The recipient of the award will be announced on November 9.

The Combs Award grew out of a 2001 donation by Harry Combs to the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF). As part of his generous $1.3 million gift to the NAHF for the creation of a Research Center, he stipulated that the Combs Award would support and encourage continuing aviation heritage research and preservation efforts.

Combs’ illustrious career includes accomplishments as an aircraft designer, fixed base operator, flight instructor, entrepreneur and author. A former aviation executive who helped devise the modern air traffic control system and pulled LearJet from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970s, he also is the author of the acclaimed book Kill Devil Hill: Discovering the Secrets of the Wright Brothers. Previous Combs Award winners include photographer Dan Patterson and Wright State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives 100th Anniversary of Flight Commemoration projects and events.

The award presenters are among the best-known and respected personalities in aviation and aeronautics. Gene Cernan (in top photo) is one of America’s most experienced astronauts and a former member of the NASA senior management team. Scott Crossfield (second photo) was the first man to fly successfully at Mach 3 and has been a lifelong advocate for aviation education.

Bob Hoover (above) has thrilled millions of people with his acrobatic flying maneuvers and has flight tested or flown nearly every type of fighter aircraft.

FMI: www.nationalaviation.org, www.nbaa.org/2005