The National Aviation Hall of Fame is seeking entries for the 2018 Combs Gates Award, a $20,000 cash award presented annually to an individual or group for a project judged as “exemplary in the promotion and preservation of America’s air and space heritage.”
This year’s award ceremony will take place during a special session of the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) annual meeting and convention, Oct. 16 to 18 in Orlando, Florida. NAHF and NBAA officials and previous NAHF enshrines will make the award presentation.
The winning applicants will be notified by Aug. 25, NAHF said in a news release.
Harry Combs, enshrined in 1996, established the Combs Award to encourage and support historic research and preservation in aviation. The award’s name was changed to the Combs Gates Award a decade later to honor John Gates, a partner with Combs in several aviation businesses, including the Combs Gates FBO chain, and Gates Learjet.
Dennis R. Jenkins won the 2017 Combs Gates Award for his three-volume work, Space Shuttle: Developing an Icon 1972-2013. His award was presented by a group consisting of 2001 enshrinee and retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe Engel; aerobatic performer Sean D. Tucker, a 2008 enshrinee; Clay Lacy, enshrined in 2010; NBAA President Ed Bolen; Gates; and members of the NAHF Board.
For more information about NAHF, or to request a 2018 Combs Gates Award application, please visit the NAHF website.