Aviation advocate and Hollywood star Harrison Ford has been awarded the 2010 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.
Established by the (US) National Aeronautic Association (NAA) in 1948 to honor the memory of aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, the trophy is awarded annually to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the US.
The NAA citation defining Ford's achievement will read, “For engaging our nation’s youth in aviation and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and enthusiasts to secure a strong future for all of aviation.”
While those outside of aviation may only know Ford for his many onscreen antics over the years, the man has also long been an avid aviator and active member of the US aviation community.
“Ford has parlayed his passion for aviation and his concern for its future, along with his humanitarian and educational efforts, into a motivational leadership role that has unquestionably advanced and invested in America’s aviation’s future,” the NAA said.
“An avid pilot and active member of the aviation community, his unswerving passion for aviation, combined with his global respect and visibility, have provided both the opportunity and platform from which he has been able to make a significant impact on something very important to him – aviation’s future.”
Ford’s contributions to aviation include:
- Serving from 2004-2009 as the Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program. - Joining with others in the aviation community in loading up his own Cessna Caravan and personally piloting the aircraft to deliver medical supplies and medical personnel to Haiti following the recent earthquake. - Servign as Honorary Chairman of the 2010 Special Olympics Airlift which utilises business aircraft to fly Special Olympics to the games. - Helping to educate the public about the benefits of aviation through his efforts with the US AOPA’s GA outreach program.
“All of us at NAA are very grateful for the work that Mr. Ford has done to advance the cause of aviation and aerospace in our nation,” said Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of NAA and the Chairman of the Selection Committee. “And we are particularly proud to present him with one of the greatest awards in aviation as an acknowledgement of his efforts and his success.”
Ford will be presented with the 2010 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy on December 17 in Washington.
To read more about Ford standing up for the GA industry click here.
Image courtesy Harrison Ford/Wings Over the Rockies.
