{"id":27446,"date":"2023-12-23T23:48:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-23T23:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saj.pachecostudios.com?p=27446"},"modified":"2023-12-23T23:48:44","modified_gmt":"2023-12-23T23:48:44","slug":"the-national-aeronautic-association-recognizes-the-best-in-humanitarian-flying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/national-news\/the-national-aeronautic-association-recognizes-the-best-in-humanitarian-flying\/%20","title":{"rendered":"The National Aeronautic Association Recognizes the Best in Humanitarian Flying"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is honored to\nannounce the 2023 Public Benefit Flying Awards recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created in partnership with the Air Care Alliance<\/a> (ACA), a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, the Public Benefit Flying Awards recognize volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and organizations engaged in flying to help others and those supporting such work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uniting their love of flying and selfless devotion to\nhumankind, pilots and other volunteers engaged in Public Benefit Flying combine\ntheir talent and time with the desire to help others. Types of Public Benefit\nFlying include medical transport, environmental and conservation support,\nsearch and rescue, emergency response, and pet transport. The people chosen to\nreceive Public Benefit Flying Awards this year combine their love of flying\nwith the capabilities of general aviation to create a rewarding and valuable\npart of the aviation story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 Public Benefit Flying Awards recipients are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinguished Volunteer Pilot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dennis Phelan, for altruistically giving his time, talent, and resources to transport hundreds of passengers to their life-saving medical care as an Angel Flight West<\/a> volunteer pilot and Earth Angel. Phelan has flown over 880 missions to help passengers reach life-saving medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinguished Volunteer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Brubaker, for his dedication to youth aviation education. Brubaker is helping to build the next generation of Public Benefit Flying pilots through STEM Flights<\/a>, an organization mentoring youth and encouraging them to pursue STEM careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teamwork Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All General Aviation Pilots Involved in the Maui Relief, represented by Rainbow Helicopters<\/a>, in recognition of their outstanding efforts to transport essential supplies to displaced families on the island of Maui after the deadly wildfires of 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Achievement in Advancement of Public Benefit Flying<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jim Hesseman, for outstanding service to public benefit\nflying and as a volunteer pilot with generosity and compassion that exceeds all\nexpectations. Hesseman works tirelessly to build awareness of volunteer\nflights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champion of Public Benefit Flying<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lightspeed Aviation<\/a>, for their outstanding and inspiring support for volunteer pilots and charitable aviation. Lightspeed spreads the word about Public Benefit Flying through media and published materials, such as their book, Flying for Compassion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe selfless dedication of these people is remarkable, and\ntheir impact is staggering,\u201d said Amy Spowart, NAA President and CEO. \u201cFrom a\nchild with a terminal illness to an organ that needs to get across the country\nfor transplant to the movement of people escaping natural disasters, these\npilots represent the best in aviation. It\u2019s our honor to recognize them and\nshare their impact for the recognition and inspiration of others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members of the 2023 Public Benefit Flying Selection\nCommittee:<\/p>\n\n\n\n