As of July 1, 2024, the Bahamas Customs & Excise Department has imposed substantial and egregious fees on pilots flying General Aviation aircraft on recreational flights. Pilots should be mindful of these new and additional fees before considering flying to the Bahamas. Read More
Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here

Aviation groups, volunteers receive public benefit awards

The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has been honored in Washington, D.C., for its work to promote growth of the pilot population and advance aviation education.

The National Aeronautic Association and the Air Care Alliance presented Lightspeed Founder and President Allan Schrader with a 2012 Champion of Public Benefit Flying award at a ceremony Sept. 13.

The award was conferred “in recognition of Lightspeed’s significant contribution by creating a support system enhancing groups involved in public flying,” said NAA President Jonathan Gaffney in an announcement of the awards.

The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation was launched in 2010. It recognizes and rewards organizations “that help grow the pilot population, support education to extend the future of aviation and to serve others through the use of aviation resources.” Since its inception, Lightspeed has contributed more than $250,000 to aviation charities, said an organization news release.

In 2012, NAA also issued Public Benefit Flying Awards to Distinguished Volunteer Pilots Susan Lapis of conservation organization SouthWings, and Del Reiff of Wings of Hope; and Distinguished Volunteers Awards to Debi Boies of Pilots N Paws, and Larry Scheffler of Miracle Flights For Kids.

An Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying went to Bob Showalter and Showalter Flying Services for supporting efforts including relief work after natural disasters.

Air Care Alliance Chairman Rol Murrow noted that recipients of the awards deserve recognition for “their own contributions and also because they serve as examples of all those others who work to fly patients for care, serve in times of emergencies, provide educational flights for youth, support environmental causes, help our veterans, and provide help in many other ways to those in need.”

The Public Benefit Flying awards have been conferred since 2003.

Dan Namowitz
Dan Namowitz
Dan Namowitz has been writing for AOPA in a variety of capacities since 1991. He has been a flight instructor since 1990 and is a 35-year AOPA member.
Topics: Aviation Industry, Public Benefit Flying

Related Articles