The 8th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards will be held Jan. 21 in Beverly Hills, bringing together some of the biggest names in aviation.
Actor and pilot Morgan Freeman presents the “Flown West” tribute to the Legends lost. John Travolta, also an actor and pilot, will present the newest Legend inductee, M. Laurent Beaudoin. Harrison Ford will present a special Aviation Legacy Award to Pat Epps. Sean Tucker, the awards emcee, will be assisted by Kurt Russell, as Tom Hanks recognizes Captain James Lovell, commander of the Apollo 13 mission, and Captain “Sully” Sullenberger will present the “Captain Cool Award.” Bob Hoover will present the Freedom of Flight award to fellow aviator, congressman, and true national hero Sam Johnson. Also expected to be at the celebration are Delford M. Smith, the “Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur,” Clay Jones, the “Aviation Industry Leader of the Year,” Lynn Tilton, the “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year,” and others at the event, which is being held at the Beverly Hilton.
This year’s expected celebrity/Legend attendees include: John Travolta, Captain James Lovell, Laurent Beaudoin, Bob Hoover, “Sully” Sullenberger, Kurt Russell, Clay Lacy, Morgan Freeman, Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Tom Cruise, Joe Clark, Maj. Gen. William Anders, Cliff Robertson, Lynn Tilton ,Tony Bill, Dr. Forrest Bird, Carroll Shelby, James Raisbeck, Linden Blue, Barron Hilton, Sir Richard Branson, Harrison Ford, Gene Cernan, Julie Clark, Dick Rutan, Pat Epps, Greg Herrick, Dieter F Uchtdorf, Alan Klapmeier, Bruce McCaw, Lorenzo Lamas, Col. Max Moga, Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter, Tom Poberezny, Mike Melvill, Vern Raburn, Si Robin, Frank Robinson, Sean Tucker, Steven Udvar-Hazy, Emily Howell-Warner, Patty Wagstaff, Kermit Weeks, Treat Williams, Michael Dorn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Selleck.
The “Living Legends of Aviation” are 70 people of remarkable accomplishment in aviation including: entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record breakers, astronauts, pilots who have become celebrities, and celebrities who have become pilots. The Legends meet yearly to recognize and honor individuals that have made significant contributions in aviation.
The Legends event is produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a non-profit organization that introduces kids ages 5 to 11 to flight through the Kiddie Hawk Trainer. The Kiddie Hawk Trainer allows kids to take their first flight lesson with the sophistication of motion and control of real flight, piloting their airplane, albeit just a few feet off the ground. Kiddie Hawk follows the students as they progress, making scholarships available as Kiddie Hawk pilots enter actual flight training. The Kiddie Hawk program also introduces youngsters to other aviation related careers.
For more information: livinglegendsofaviation.org
