The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), in partnership with Air Care Alliance (ACA), a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, have revealed the recipients of the 2022 Public Benefit Flying Awards.
The awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and organizations engaged in flying to help others, as well as those supporting public benefit flying.
“Each year, hundreds, even thousands, of pilots and volunteers use their aviation skill to assist others in time of need,” said NAA President Greg Principato. “From responding to disasters, to bringing lifesaving treatments to patients, to bringing others to receive the care they need, these pilots and organizations serve their communities well and often without notice.”
This year’s recipients are:
Distinguished Volunteer Pilot
Since joining Angel Flight Central in 2011, John Lunseth has flown 93 missions and donated aircraft and fuel costs topping $61,000.
In 2022 alone, John transported passengers to lifesaving medical treatments and procedures, breast milk to medically fragile babies, and chronically ill children to their specialized summer camps, according to officials.
Serving as the chairman of the Board of Directors for Angel Flight South Central, Wayne Maynard‘s leadership and willingness to serve have been both influential and contagious, officials noted. As a volunteer pilot, his devotion to taking on as many missions as possible, even during the most challenging of times, while offering compassionate care to his passengers, is inspirational, officials added.
Distinguished Volunteer
MSgt Michael Fontaine is an active duty military liaison for Honor Flight San Antonio, where he coordinated logistical support for two flights that provided veterans all expenses-paid trips to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C.
Beyond being an ambassador and military liaison to the Honor Flight organization, Fontaine also worked to secure funding for special events and veteran travel, planned and executed fundraising events, briefed personnel from various airlines and security agencies to promote and garner support for Honor Flight San Antonio’s mission, and established a recognition program for active duty military volunteers who dedicated time to honor our nation’s heroes, according to officials.
Outstanding Achievement in Advancement of Public Benefit Flying
David Knies has dedicated over half of his life to his involvement in public benefit flying, serving as a volunteer for Angel Flight Southeast, Angel Flight Soars, Vital Flight, FlyQuest, and the Air Care Alliance. Whether in the cockpit during 500-plus flights, on the ground at the airport, or in the office for more than 10,000 hours, he has given of himself to make the lives of those he serves brighter, officials noted.
Champion of Public Benefit Flying
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has long supported charitable aviation’s work by helping individuals and communities in need through business aviation and by telling the stories of volunteer pilots and other charitable aviation organizations. NBAA’s people have contributed time, effort, and personal involvement to engage in public benefit flying, and have provided their facilities, publications, and other resources to substantially further all groups’ missions.