The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) recognized dual-engine flameout pilots Bruce Monnier and Gerald Downs with its first-ever NBAA Above and Beyond Airmanship Award.
The award, which was created by NBAA’s Safety Committee to recognize action taken to avoid injury, loss of life or catastrophic business aircraft damage, was presented during a Safety Town Hall, which took place during NBAA’s first-ever Virtual Safety Week.
An airline transport pilot, flight instructor and captain for Air Trek, Inc. with over 4,000 hours, Monnier was captain and pilot for the flight that experienced a dual-engine flame-out from diesel-exhaust contamination. He worked with Downs – an airline transport pilot with more than 10,000 hours, instructor and holding ratings in fixed-wing, helicopter, glider and gyroplane aircraft over his 48-year aviation career – to dead-stick the airplane’s landing into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
“NBAA is honored to present Bruce Monnier and Gerald Downs with the first NBAA Above and Beyond Airmanship Award in recognition of their professionalism and bravery,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Their story is inspirational to everyone in the business aviation industry, and a reminder of the importance in always keeping safety in the forefront.”
In addition to the awards presentation, the Safety Town Hall featured a conversation among King Schools co-founders John and Martha King, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden, along with and Monnier and Downs, about the skills that keep the safety chain from breaking. It was moderated by award-winning aviation journalist Miles O’Brien.
The Safety Town Hall is part of NBAA’s Virtual Safety Week, which also includes the Single-Pilot Standdown and National Aviation Safety Forum.
