The National Aeronautic Association, in partnership with the Air Care Alliance, a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, has revealed the recipients of the 2014 Public Benefit Flying Awards.
This year’s recipients are:
Distinguished Volunteer Pilot – JJ Quinn: A retired airline pilot who has logged 32,000 flight hours, JJ Quinn has devoted more than 20 years as a volunteer pilot flying to benefit the public in need on behalf of Patient Airlift Services, Pilots n Paws, Wounded Warriors, and Angel Flight. In addition to his volunteer flying, he is a mentor to future aviators, organizing numerous flights for the Boy Scout program and EAA’s Young Eagles, and while serving as lead flight instructor at Whitehawk Aviation in Culpeper, Virginia.
Champion of Public Benefit Flying – Experimental Aircraft Association and its Young Eagles Program: Since 1990, volunteers for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), through its Young Eagles Program, have provided almost 2 million young people the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight, thus passing on to another generation their enthusiasm for aviation. Through its network of thousands of volunteer pilots across the United States, EAA and Young Eagles have facilitated Public Benefit Flying and educated youth about the opportunities aviation provides. For many it was the start of his or her journey to becoming a pilot, aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller, or a participant in many other aviation-related career possibilities.
“Volunteers in aviation and those who support them are the heart and soul of charitable aviation, and the work they perform is invaluable. They fly needy patients for care, inspire youth by providing the unique perspective of their world from above, swiftly transport relief supplies and personnel following disasters, support environmental preservation work, relocate animals to new environments, and perform a myriad of other tasks,” said Rol Murrow, President of the Air Care Alliance. “They all deserve to be honored with national recognition and these awards support that goal. When we honor one we honor all!”
Members of the 2014 PBF Selection Committee were Robert Blouin; Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Lindy Kirkland, Executive Vice President of the Air Care Alliance; and Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of NAA, who served as chairman of the selection committee.
The Public Benefit Flying Awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and their organizations engaged in flying to help others, as well as those supporting such work. The awards will be presented at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.
Nominations are now being accepted for next year’s awards. Click here or here for more information.
The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and to promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is the caretaker of several major aviation awards, and certifies all world and national aviation records set in the United States. For information, visit NAA.aero.
The Air Care Alliance is a nonprofit public service organization supporting the work of dozens of volunteer-based charitable organizations whose members fly to help others. ACA is devoted to fostering, enhancing, and promoting public benefit flying in the United States and other countries. For information, visit Aircarealliance.org.