The Aero Club of Washington will host the 2014 Wright Memorial Dinner Dec. 12, with R.A. “Bob” Hoover being honored as this year’s recipient of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association. Tickets are available online for the event honoring Hoover, who joins a distinguished line of aviators and astronauts who have given “significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.”
The NAA announced in September Hoover’s selection for this year's Wright Brothers award, which was established in 1948 and has since been presented each year on or near the anniversary of the historic first flight. For Hoover, it is the most recent in a series of honors and celebrations of his remarkable career in the past year, including a gala held in February in Los Angeles held in conjunction with the first inductions into the Bob Hoover Hall of Honor. The world premiere of a documentary about Hoover’s life followed soon after, with screenings at EAA AirVenture in July and at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August.
“There are very few people in the world that capture the history, progress, importance, and sheer excitement of aviation and aerospace like Bob Hoover,” said NAA Chairman Jim Albaugh.“For 70 years he has set the standard for skill, leadership, and bravery which may last forever.”