The National Association of State Aviation Officials, (NASAO) recently honored several individuals during its 79th Annual Convention and Trade Show held in Wichita, Kansas, air capital of the world and home to the Cessna Aircraft Company.
Jack J. Pelton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Cessna (pictured left) was honored with the National Award of Excellence; David and Peggy Weiman received the National Journalism Award for their publication Midwest Flyer Magazine, and Dale Williams, Airport Development Manager with the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission was named the recipient of the 2010 NASAO Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding work in Oklahoma.
This year NASAO’s Most Innovative State Program also went to Oklahoma’s Aeronautics Commission for
a new web-based airport infrastructure management system.
Cessna Aircraft hosted attendees of this year’s NASAO Conference to an evening of food, music and airplanes last Monday evening in one of the aircraft manufacturer’s hangers. Pelton, although busy with the details of a looming machinists union strike, took time to welcome the group, talk about aviation and invite attendees to see the mock-ups of the latest business jet cockpits and cabins.
NASAO Chairman Vic Bird and host Ed Young, Director of Aviation for the State of Kansas presented Pelton with the organization’s highest honor, which was established in 1997. The National Award of Excellence has only been presented four other times; to Paul Poberezny, founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Former House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster, current House T&I Chairman Jim Oberstar, and former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey.
NASAO’s National Journalism Award was presented for the first time in more than twelve years to David and Peggy Weiman, Publishers of MIDWEST FLYER Magazine. (David Weiman pictured right) The inaugural award was given to FLYING Magazine’s beloved, long-time columnist Gordon Baxter. 
The Midwest Flyer began as a Wisconsin based aviation publication in 1978. The first issue had 16 pages, black and white photos and covered mainly Wisconsin events. The magazine has expanded over its 32 year history covering aviation issues addressing proposed local, state and federal legislation, aviation business and aviators throughout the Midwest.
The magazine continues to cover issues of special interest to pilots, fixed based operators, airport owners, government officials and the general public. For more information on the publication visit, http://www.midwestflyer.com/
The NASAO Distinguished Service Award was created to honor state aviation personnel who have excelled in their service and dedication to aviation progress and development in their state. (Vic Bird, left, Director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is pictured presenting Williams with his award.)
