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Major General Charles Bolden Honored with the 2020 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy

Major General Charles Bolden

On September 9, 2020, NAA announced that Major General Charles Bolden, USMC (Ret.), was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for "... his impassioned commitment to public service in aviation and aerospace as an aviator, astronaut, and leader and his dedication to excellence for the advancement of all humanity."

Established by NAA in 1948 to honor the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the trophy is awarded annually to a living American for "...significant public service of enduring value to
aviation in the United States." One of the most important, historic, and visible aerospace awards in the world, the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy reflects a timeline of the most innovative inventors, explorers, industrialists, and public servants in aeronautics and astronautics.

"I can't begin to thank the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy selection committee for making this prestigious honor possible," said Bolden. "As this honor continues to sink in, I am humbled
and feeling even more the effect of the 'imposter syndrome' as I think of the many true heroes of aviation who preceded me with this award. This is an incredible honor and I really look forward
to trying to live up to its legacy and inspire many future Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy winners."

"The Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is our greatest individual honor," said NAA President Greg Principato. "When you take into account Charlie Bolden's career and commitment, he truly
embodies what this award is meant to recognize. In every aspect of his career he has served causes and missions greater than himself. His example will inspire future generations."

Bolden will be presented with the Wright Trophy at an Aero Club of Washington event to be scheduled when the District of Columbia guidelines and community comfort allow for such
gatherings.  View the press release.

The United States Department of the Air Force - Boeing X-37B Team to Receive the 2019 Robert J. Collier Trophy

The X-37B

NAA announced on August 13, 2020 that the United States Department of the Air Force - Boeing X-37B Team was named as the recipient of the 2019 Robert J. Collier Trophy for "... developing and employing the world's only reusable, autonomous spaceplane, which logged more than 2,865 days in orbit across five missions, changing access to space and serving as the nation's workhorse in space experimentation and technology."

"The X-37B team win of the 2019 National Aeronautic Association, Robert J. Collier Trophy exemplifies the kind of lean, agile and innovative technological development our nation needs to secure its interests," said U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, Gen. John "Jay" Raymond. "The ability to test new systems in space and return them to Earth is unique to the X37B and enables the U.S. to more efficiently and effectively develop spacepower to maintain superiority in the space domain."

The Collier Trophy is awarded annually for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." The list of Collier recipients represents a timeline of air and space
achievements, marking major events in the history of flight dating back to 1911.

"We are honored to receive the Collier Trophy, along with our partners at the U.S. Department of the Air Force, in recognition of a record-breaking year for the X-37B program," said Boeing
Defense, Space & Security CEO Leanne Caret. "The extraordinary men and women who make up our government-industry team now take their place alongside the Collier Trophy legends who preceded them. They have made a lasting impact on aerospace development for the past decade and will influence future generations of space systems to come."

"The X-37B team should be commended for their accomplishments over the last decade and more importantly for what they accomplished in 2019," said NAA Chairman Jim Albaugh. "As the world's only autonomous, reusable spaceplane, it continues to contribute to our understanding of both space and air flight."

The Collier Trophy Selection Committee, comprised of 35 aviation and aerospace professionals, reviewed presentations from nine nominees and selected the X-37B team as the recipient on August 11.

The 2019 Collier Trophy will be formally presented on a date to be determined.  View the press release.

NAA and the National Aviation Hall of Fame Launch Successful Webinar Series

NAA and the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) have established an exciting partnership to bring a series of free webinars to our members and the broader aviation community.  To date, the two organizations have hosted four webinars, which bring together aviation and aerospace influencers and expert panelists to gain insight on the future of the industry. 

Recordings of each webinar are available below.  Be the first to  know about upcoming webinars by following NAA and the NAHF on social media!






General J.R. "Jack" Dailey to Receive the 2020 Bruce Whitman Trophy

General J.R. "Jack" Dailey
General J.R. "Jack" Dailey, USMC (Ret.) and Former Director of the
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, was selected in June as the recipient of the 2020 Bruce Whitman Trophy.  

The Bruce Whitman Trophy was established by the Board of Directors of NAA in 2019 to honor the late aerospace executive and philanthropist. Whitman was posthumously named as the first
recipient of the trophy the same year.


The trophy is awarded to "... outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation or aerospace in the United States, and who by working with museums and other
institutions have promoted an appreciation by students and the broader public of the sacrifices and legacy of members of the military service." A deserving nominee is put forth annually by
the Chairman of the NAA to the Executive Committee of NAA for confirmation by majority vote.

"I can't think of anyone who embodies the spirit of the Bruce Whitman Trophy more than Jack," said NAA Chairman Jim Albaugh. "What makes it especially meaningful, is that while both Jack and Bruce were dedicated to aerospace and its heritage, they were also very close friends."

"It is a great honor for me to receive this award named after an aviation leader and good friend, Bruce Whitman," said Dailey.

NAA will present the Bruce Whitman Trophy to General Dailey on a date to be announced.  View the press release.

2019 Mackay Trophy to be Awarded to the United States Air Force Crew of 
Hawg 71 Flight

The Clarence Mackay Trophy

NAA announced on May 28, 2020 that the United States Air Force Captain Alexander E. Boules and Major Charles C. Stretch, the aircrew of Hawg 71 flight, have been named the recipients of the 2019 Mackay Trophy. 

The Mackay Trophy was first presented by Clarence Mackay in 1912 and was later deeded to the National Aeronautic Association. Administered by the United States Air Force and NAA, the trophy is awarded for the "...most meritorious flight of the year by an Air Force person, persons, or organization." 

As outlined in the United States Air Force nomination, the crew of Hawg 71 were deployed from their home station of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, as a two-ship formation of A10Cs, flying out of the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 451st Air Expeditionary Group, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. On July 19, 2019, Captain Boules and Major Stretch were tasked to support a troops-in-contact situation in which countless Afghan Special Forces were being overrun, captured, and pinned down with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Working together as Hawg 71 flight, Captain Boules and Major Stretch waged a diligent battle against the difficulties of night operations, terrain, dislocated controllers, and significant language barriers to enable coordinated strikes against enemy fighters, ultimately saving the lives of 12 Afghan Special Forces members. 

The professional ability and outstanding aerial accomplishments of the crew of Hawg 71 reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force. 

The Mackay Trophy will be presented on a date and location to be determined.  View the press release.

Dorothy Cochrane Named Recipient of the 2020 Katharine Wright Trophy

Dorothy Cochrane
On April 23, 2020, NAA announced that Dorothy Cochrane was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Katharine Wright Trophy. The trophy was established in 1981 and is awarded annually in partnership with the Ninety-Nines, an International Organization of Women Pilots, to an individual who "... has
contributed to the success of others or made a personal contribution to the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight over an extended period of time."

Cochrane is being recognized for "devoting over 40 years as a curator at the Smithsonian's
National Air and Space Museum, collecting and preserving historical aviation artifacts that educate and inspire the general public about the importance of flight."

"We at the National Aeronautic Association are pleased to present the 2020 Katharine Wright Trophy to Dorothy Cochrane," said NAA President Greg Principato. "We often take the National Air and Space Museum for granted, but it wouldn't be the national treasure it is without Dorothy. She sees her work only beginning with the collection of important artifacts, she works hard to tell the stories of the people and events behind them, and to use those stories to educate and inspire countless people around the world. To receive this award one must not only show excellence in their work, but must also have reached beyond to make others better as well. Dorothy's whole life and career, as one of the selection committee members said, 'embodies what this award is all about.' "

"I am deeply honored to receive this trophy," said Cochrane. "Working at the National Air and Space Museum has been amazing and has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people in aerospace and in general."

The Katharine Wright Trophy will be presented on a date to be determined.  View the press release.
President's Message
Greg Principato, 
President & CEO, NAA

On March 9, I attended a truly wonderful event at the home of the British Ambassador. Most of the DC aviation community was there, and it was an event honoring Richard Branson.  It was good to see so many friends.
 
With perhaps one or two exceptions I haven't seen any of them since.  Indeed, the NAA team has not all been together in one place since even before that date; as we alternate work from home and coming to the office. 
 
That doesn't mean we have stopped working.  Records are being certified with increasing frequency after a Covid-induced lull.  Members are joining, and we are embarking on a cooperative membership arrangement with the National Aviation Hall of Fame.  Awards are being decided, including the Collier, which goes to the USAF/Boeing X-37B and the Wright Trophy to former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.  A fuller listing of awards is included in this newsletter.  Others are being decided as I write this.
 
We are producing more frequent communications with our members.  We have embarked on a very well received webinar series in cooperation with the National Aviation Hall of Fame, most recently on Sustainability and Innovation:  Ensuring the Future of Aviation.  We are working with partners to find ways to promote STEM education and sustainability. 
 
I have been in touch with our corporate, affiliate, Aero Club and air sport members.  We are working closely with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) on the work they are doing to implement needed reforms and advance their mission.
 
We all want life and work to return to normal.  I suppose those of us who work at NAA are fortunate in that we have been able to keep working as before, though in new and different ways.  We have not held an in-person event in months and are unlikely to until the middle of next year.  We did receive a PPP loan, for which we have met the criteria to turn it into a grant. 
 
If there is anything NAA can do for you I truly hope you will let us know.  Call me at 703-416-4888 x 101.  Email me at 
gprincipato@naa.aero.  If you are experiencing a success you would like to share, let us know that too, so that we can share it with others.
 
Until we meet again in person, please take care of yourselves and all around you.  Stay healthy and safe.  And, when you get a chance, fly.

Air Sport Organization News

USPA Board Chooses Albert Berchtold to Succeed Longtime Executive Director Ed Scott

Albert Berchtold
After an eight-month search process, the USPA Board of Directors selected Albert Berchtold, D-27832, as USPA's next executive director. He will officially take the job on January 1, 2021. Berchtold is currently a marketing manager at Performance Designs, a parachute manufacturer in DeLand, Florida, where he has worked for 14 years. 
 
With more than 5,500 jumps, Berchtold is an active skydiver and international competitor who is a member of the current U.S. Canopy Piloting Team that is headed to the next world championships. Until just last year, he was also managing director of the Florida Canopy Piloting Association, a position he held for 12 years.
 
Berchtold holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and information systems and will soon complete a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in executive studies.

"I'm happy to be joining the team at USPA Headquarters later this year," said Berchtold. "I look forward to working with an amazing staff, board and 40,000-member-strong organization to carry USPA's mission into a spectacular future."
 
USPA President Chuck Akers said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Albert as USPA's new executive director. His vast sport, industry and business experience combined with his vision and passion for USPA and our skydiving family made him the perfect choice to take the helm. Albert will serve our membership well, and I look forward to serving with him."
 
Berchtold will become USPA's 10th executive director since the position was first created in 1960. He succeeds Ed Scott, who is retiring from the position he has held for 13 years. When USPA named Scott executive director in December 2007, he had already been with USPA for 11 years, serving as the association's director of government relations. He was deeply involved in pushing back against real threats to the sport and helping secure great wins for skydiving and the association. Scott guided the association through the Great Recession of 2008, which hit just as USPA had begun growing again after a years-long membership decline following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Scott met that challenge and many others along the way. Today, USPA membership is at a record high of 41,271, and skydiving is thriving with none of the constraints proposed by a variety of regulators over the past few years. 
 
Scott says, "If you're a skydiver, there is no better job than to work for the U.S. Parachute Association. It's the ultimate way of giving back to a sport that has enhanced and shaped your life. You come to work each day knowing that 41,000-plus skydivers are counting on you to support and defend their chosen sport. I first came to work for USPA in September 1996. For me, the dream job turned into a dream career."


International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Update

2020 has been quite the year for the International Aerobatic Club (IAC). The two main annual events we are involved with were cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the EAA's AirVenture this year, the IAC was planning on celebrating its 50th Anniversary with special displays and archival photos telling our story. We were also planning on a number of forums and presentations that focused on aerobatics, not to mention the sale of new 50th anniversary merchandise in our IAC pavilion on the EAA grounds.
 
Since AirVenture couldn't be held, the EAA conducted a virtual form of the celebration with Spirit of Aviation Week, which was a huge success. The IAC played a role in Spirit of Aviation Week with a number of presentations and forums in digital format. All of these IAC aerobatic presentations are still available to enjoy on both EAA.org and IAC.org.
 
The second event that had to be cancelled because of the virus was our September U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, "Nationals" for short. This would have been Nationals' second year at Salina, Kansas (KSLN).
 
Although we couldn't experience these two wonderful events in 2020, we are already planning for 2021. We hope that Covid-19 will be far enough behind us that AirVenture will be held in Oshkosh again, bigger and better than ever. We also hope that we will be back with the wonderful folks in Salina in September 2021. If you join us at AirVenture, be sure to stop in and say "hi" at the IAC pavilion. In the meantime, the IAC continues to sponsor aerobatic contests across the country and advocate for the enjoyment and safety of aerobatic aviation.  
 
Steve Kurtzahn
IAC Executive Director

 
The International Aerobatic Club, Inc. is a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. All IAC members are required to be members of the parent organization, the EAA. Membership is open to all who are interested in aviation. 
 
The IAC is also an air sport member of the National Aeronautic Association and is responsible for the administration, management, and promotion of the sport of aerobatics in the United States under the applicable regulations of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, Lausanne, Switzerland. FAI is the world governing body for all sport aviation competitions and record attempts. IAC represents the United States at meetings of the FAI Aerobatics Commission (CIVA) which establishes rules worldwide for aerobatic competitions.
 
The core purpose of the International Aerobatic Club is to promote and enhance the safety and enjoyment of sport aerobatics through the following core values:
  • Openness and inclusiveness
  • A passion and responsibility to educate and share our knowledge both inside and outside the IAC
  • A Commitment and responsibility to safety and excellence in every aspect of our sport
  • Fair play and sportsmanship


Academy of Model Aeronautics Members Claim Guinness World Record

Guinness World Records recently approved the highest altitude remote-controlled (RC) model aircraft flight of 10,607 m (34,800 ft).  The record was achieved by Paul Kaup, Jake Minker, Nick Ross, Eric Gordon, Rachel Stark, and Dani Deckert at Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico on October 13, 2019.  The team was a part of StratoJourney, a STEM project for students in 6th through 12th grade.

Aero Club News

The Aero Club of Southern California Shares the Story of "The Mechanician"

The Aero Club of Southern California in the past has assisted in promoting many aviation related shorts and documentaries including "Flying the Feathered Edge" the Bob Hoover Project, the Lafayette Escadrille documentary, as well as other notables.

Currently, an Aero Club of Southern California member is working to share the story of Charlie Taylor, "The Mechanician."  Charlie worked with the Wright brothers in their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio and helped them to design and build the first airplane.  The brothers couldn't find anyone to build an engine light enough with the horsepower needed, so they turned to Charlie, who constructed the engine in six weeks at the bicycle shop.  Please take the time to watch this short video and hear the story of one of history's unsung heroes, Charlie Taylor.


The Mechanician: A Brief History of Charles E. Taylor
The Mechanician: A Brief History of Charles E. Taylor



The Ninety-Nines Honor Aerospace Leaders at Virtual Conference

The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots founded in 1929, honored the following seven aerospace leaders at their 2020 International Conference Virtual Meeting in July 2020.  Congratulations to all of the award winners!
Award of Achievement for Contributions to Aviation
Dr. Jacque Boyd

Award of Achievement to the Ninety-Nines
Marion Jayne

Award of Inspiration
The Mercury 13

Award of Merit
Captain Barry Schiff

President's Award
Laura Ohrenberg

George Palmer Putnam Award
Rod Machado

Katharine Wright Trophy
Dorothy Cochrane



 

Fall 2020

 

In This Issue
NAA News
President's Message
Air Sport News
Aero Club News
Upcoming Events
Call for Nominations
Records Claimed
Contact NAA
Upcoming Events 
Due to COVID-19, NAA has cancelled the following events:

Robert J. Collier Trophy Dinner

Fall Awards Dinner

Details regarding individual award presentations will be forthcoming.
Call for Nominations


Nominations Due to NAA by November 30, 2020

Welcome New Members




Records Claimed
March 25, 2020 -
July 31, 2020
FAI Smaller   

Aeroplanes

Speed Over a Commercial Airline Route:
 
Newark, NJ to 
San Francisco, CA: 
500 mph
Gregory Madonna
Class C-1
United Airlines 
Boeing 757-200
7/4/2020

Newark, NJ to 
Orlando, FL:  450 mph
Gregory Madonna
Class C-1
United Airlines 
Boeing 757-200
7/12/2020

Atlanta, GA to 
Mumbai, India:  565 mph
Gary E. Peterson
Class C-1
Delta Air Lines 
Boeing 777-200LR
7/18/2020

Denver, CO to 
Newark, NJ:  521 mph
Gregory Madonna
Class C-1
United Airlines 
Boeing 757-200
7/19/2020
 
Speed Over a Recognized Course:
 
Denver, CO to 
Jacksonville, FL:  
288.29 mph*
Korey E. Stafford
Class C-1.c, Group I (Internal Combustion)
Lancair IV-P
1 Continental TSIO-550
5/30/2020

Dallas, TX to 
Frankfurt, Germany: 
612 mph
Thomas A. Emmolo & Lance E. Hill
Class C-1.m, Group III (Jet)
Gulfstream G650ER
2 BMW Rolls-Royce BR725
7/18/2020

Frankfurt, Germany to 
Fort Worth, TX:  556 mph
Thomas A. Emmolo & Lance E. Hill
Class C-1.m, Group III (Jet)
Gulfstream G650ER
2 BMW Rolls-Royce BR725
7/19/2020

Gliders

Straight Distance to a Goal:  474.68 mi*
Barry E. Jaeger & Richard J. Andrews
Class DO, Multiplace
Schempp-Hirth Arcus M
Faribault, MN
5/8/2020
 
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 
300 km:  60.37 mph*
Kathryn Fosha
Classes D15 & DST, Female
Schempp-Hirth Discus CS
Tehachapi, CA
5/26/2020
 
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 
500 km:  78.83 mph*
Kathryn Fosha
Classes D15 & DST, Female
Schempp-Hirth Discus CS
Tehachapi, CA
5/29/2020
 
Speed Over a Triangular Course of 500 km:  
104 mph
Alan M. Polinsky
Class DO, General
Binder EB29
Ely, NV
6/4/2020
 
Triangle Distance:  
635 mi
Free Triangle Distance:  
636 mi
Speed Over a Triangular Course of 1,000 km:  
90 mph
James M. Payne & 
Alan Coombs
Class DO, Multiplace
Nixus
Minden, NV
6/10/2020
 
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 
750 km:  133 mph
James M. Payne & 
Alan Coombs
Class DO, Multiplace
Nixus
Minden, NV
6/28/2020
 
Speed Over a Triangular Course of 300 km:  
67 mph
Philip N. Rose
Class D13.5, General
LAK miniLAK-FES
Ely, NV
7/8/2020
 
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 
300 km:  70 mph
Philip N. Rose
Class D13.5, General
LAK miniLAK-FES
Ely, NV
7/9/2020
 
Out and Return Distance:  402 mi
Free Out and Return Distance:  402 mi
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 
500 km:  70 mph
Philip N. Rose
Class D13.5, General
LAK miniLAK-FES
Ely, NV
7/10/2020
 
Speed Over a Triangular Course of 100 km:  
90 mph
Philip N. Rose
Class D13.5, General
LAK miniLAK-FES
Ely, NV
7/11/2020
 
Triangle Distance:  
354 mi
Philip N. Rose
Class D13.5, General
LAK miniLAK-FES
Ely, NV
7/17/2020
 
Speed Over a Triangular Course of 750 km:  
97 mph
Alan M. Polinsky
Class D13.5, General
Binder EB29
Ely, NV
7/18/2020
 
Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 
750 km:  77 mph
Kathryn Fosha
Class D15, Female
Schempp-Hirth Discus
Tehachapi, CA
7/26/2020

Helicopters

Speed Over a Recognized Course
Dallas, TX to 
Little Rock, AK:  167 mph
Gary L. Maddux Jr
Class E-1.d, Group II (Turbine)
Bell 407
1 Rolls-Royce 250-C47B
7/19/2020

Hang Gliders & Paragliders

Free Distance Using up to Three Turnpoints:  
312 mi
Straight Distance:  312 mi
Sebastien Kayrouz
Class O-3, General
Ozone Mantra 7
Camp Wood, TX
6/8/2020
 
Free Out and Return Distance:  222 mi
Out and Return Distance:  222 mi
Owen Morse
Class O-1, General
Wills Wing T3 154
Bartlett, CA
6/20/2020
 
 
Except where noted by an asterisk (*), information is preliminary and subject to approval.
NAA Staff Directory
Greg Principato

President & CEO

Art Greenfield
Director,
Contest & Records
Stephanie Griffith (Berry)
Director,
Awards, Events & Member Services


Kit McCormick
Manager, 
Office Services


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