Join us for the sixth annual R.A. 'Bob' Hoover Awards

“The most important thing any aviator can do is to encourage others to want to fly.” Since the first R.A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy was awarded to Hoover himself in 2016, the trophy has been awarded to aviators who inspire a love of flight in others. Wally Funk will join subsequent recipients Sean D. Tucker, Harrison Ford, Clay Lacy, and Burt Rutan when she accepts the honor.

Funk, best known recently for her 2021 flight into space on a Blue Origin rocket, has inspired generations of aviators while accumulating 19,600 flight hours as a CFI, air race champion, and NTSB investigator.

Other awards to be presented during the evening include the following:

The second annual Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Aviation Inspiration Award will be presented to Glenn Gonzales, founder and CEO of Jet It.

The 2021 Sharples award will be presented to Anthony “Tony” Restaino, president of Florida Aero Club and AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for North Perry Airport. Last year’s 2020 Sharples award winner, Dewey Davenport, first officer at NetJets and barnstormer, will also be recognized.

The 2021 Hartranft award, named after AOPA’s first president and former chairman of the board “Doc” Hartranft, will be presented to U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, for his contributions to the advancement of general aviation.

The AOPA General Aviation Safety Award will also be presented to Garmin, in recognition of the safety-enhancing suite of aircraft automation functions dubbed Autonomí.

Those interested in attending must register here.

The event will take place on March 23 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the Signature Flight Support hangar on General Aviation Drive at the airport in Washington, D.C.

For more information visit the Bob Hoover Award webpage.