By Norm Isler, EAA Lifetime 201308
At EAA Chapter 44 in Brockport, New York, our June meeting is traditionally our annual fly-in picnic dinner and general hangar/ramp flying event. This year, three of our long-time EAA members were presented with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by the FAA’s local FSDO office.
All three recipients; Dave Hurd, EAA 372637; Norm Isler, EAA Lifetime 201308; and Jim Martin, EAA 344990, are longtime members of EAA Chapter 44, located at Brockport’s Ledgedale Airpark. Between the three of them, they carry ratings including single-engine land and sea, glider, rotorcraft-gyro, and airline transport pilot. From drones to jets, they demonstrate a multitude of different aircraft types. All three carry either advanced ground or flight instructor ratings and use them regularly to mentor new pilots and provide safety training for current pilots.
When asked about the significance of the award, Chapter 44 President Mark Scheda noted, “Every flight of the thousands made by these aviators requires a level of knowledge and decision-making discipline unmatched by most other pursuits. That they have all done so safely for 50 years is a major accomplishment. Perhaps more importantly, all three have generously shared their love of aviation with countless others. They’ve taken hundreds of young people for their first airplane ride, provided aviation instruction both inflight and on the ground, led aviation organizations, mentored young aviators, and donated a lifetime’s accumulation of knowledge to help others achieve their aviation goals. These three truly embody the spirit of the Wright brothers and EAA. They have changed the world through aviation.”
Two members of the Rochester FSDO office came to present the awards. Both commented that presenting the awards was one of the best parts of their job, saying, “We would rather come for an award than an investigation!” Both also commented that they don’t get to present awards often, and presenting two at the same time is most unusual. This was the first time either of them had heard of three awards being presented at one time within one organization. EAA Chapter 44 is proud to set another standard!
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizes pilots who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise by maintaining safe flight operations for 50 or more years. It is the most prestigious honor the FAA issues to U.S. civilian aviators.
Purpose and Scope
- Safety Recognition: It honors individuals who have maintained a minimum of 50 consecutive years of safe piloting and aviation operations.
- National Honor: It unifies various localized awards from previous years into a single, national recognition program administered by the FAA.
- Community Contribution: It highlights pilots who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to flight, often acting as mentors or pillars of their local aviation communities.
- Created in 2003: The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award has been awarded to just about 10,000 aviators in 23 years, better defined as just over 400 per year. Rarely will you find three recipients in one local aviation organization.