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Sixth Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards	Mar '09

Photo By John Wright

Legend Harrison Ford receives the Legend’s Aviation Legacy Award and offers humble and sincere gratitude.

The most prestigious annual event of aviation was held at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 22, 2009. The Living Legends of Aviation Awards honors entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, and individuals with extraordinary achievements in aviation. The list of Living Legends includes 70 remarkable men and women. This year's guests included many of Hollywood's "A" list, along with astronauts, aviation entrepreneurs, record-breakers, innovators, pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots. Kiddie Hawk Air Academy produces the event. Morgan Freeman is an effective spokesperson for Kiddie Hawk and challenged the audience to get involved and help inspire the next generation of aviators.

Jerry Lips welcomed the Legends, honorees, and guests and introduced the Legends and the "Flown West" segment of the program. Family members of the two Legends that Flew West in 2008 were in attendance as video tributes honored John W. Myers and Sydney Pollack.

New inductees into the Living Legends of Aviation included Skip Holm, Tony Bill, Charles Hall, Clarence "Bud" Anderson, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Bill Luckett and Neal Blue. Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, former NASA astronaut and current president and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, spoke on behalf of the new inductees.

Video biographies set the stage for each Legend being honored.

The first award was introduced and presented by Clay Lacy to Si Robin, owner of Sensor Systems, the world's largest aircraft radio antenna company. Si Robin holds scores of patents and has been an innovator of aircraft communications and navigation systems for over 40 years. He received the Legends Aviation Inventor Award. His acceptance speech centered on his life and friends in aviation and his deep commitment to the aviators of tomorrow.

Photo By Victor Archer

Pete Bunce, President of GAMA and last year's recipient of the Aviation Industry Leader of the Year Award, presented the 2008 award to Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA). With the many challenges business aviation is facing during these economic times, Ed Bolen is doing an extraordinary job educating the public and government leaders on the practical and necessary business functions aircraft provide for our nation.

Next on the program, Bill Marcy, founder of Kiddie Hawk Air Academy and builder of the GeeBee look-a-like simulator trainer, was introduced. The Kiddie Hawk trainer is taken to elementary school-aged children, sparking the passion for flight and creating future generations of pilots and aviation enthusiasts.

The awards program proceeded with Joe Clark, a past recipient of the Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year Award, presenting this year's award to Linden Blue, owner of General Atomics, and manufacturer of the Predator unmanned aircraft and founder of Spectrum Aeronautical. Blue's acceptance speech focused on his life-long career objective of advancing technology and innovation in aviation.

Last year's recipient of the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award, James Raisbeck, introduced Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, which includes more than 300 companies worldwide (many aviation related). Knighted by the Queen of England for his entrepreneurial advancements, Sir Richard attended the event with Lady Branson. He began his acceptance speech by asking for a show of hands of how many people wanted to reserve a future space flight with Virgin Galactica. This charismatic entrepreneur flew in from Amsterdam to receive the prestigious Legends award.

Emily Howell Warner, first woman scheduled airline pilot and captain, and Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter, aviator, philanthropist, and director and a founder of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, were presented with the Bob Hoover Freedom of Flight Award.

An auction was then held for a 1/4-scale replica of the Folke Wolf 190 that Bob Hoover flew to freedom after escaping from Stalag 1 as a prisoner during World War II. The aircraft will be donated to an aviation museum to preserve this inspiring piece of American history.

The Legends Aviation Legacy Award was presented to Harrison Ford for his countless hours of serving as chairman of the Young Eagles program, which has introduced thousands of young people to aviation and inspired them to consider aviation careers. Sean Tucker presented the award on behalf of Cliff Robertson, who was unable to attend because of illness. Cliff Robertson was the first chairman of the Eagles program. In his acceptance speech, Ford said, "I love the challenge. I love the mystery. I love the people. I love the machines. I love the responsibility. I love the freedom."

The Kiddie Hawk Gee Bee trainer and video clip showcased and highlighted the flight training program of the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, the producer of the Legends awards.

Event sponsor, Breitling, presented a Breitling watch with the Legends Heritage Patriot Award to Maj. Gen Bill Anders. Anders, a former NASA astronaut on the Apollo 8 mission and later chairman and CEO of General Dynamics, is president and founder of the Heritage Flight Museum in Bellingham, Wash. Major Paul "Max" Moga received the Legends Top Flyer Award and was also presented with a Breitling watch. An Air Force flyer, Moga's talents can be seen regularly on the Discovery and Military Channels and where he demonstrates the F-22 Rapture.

John Travolta, the Legend's Ambassador of Aviation, was unable to attend due to family tragedy. He sent his regrets and gratitude for the many kind words and condolences from his fellow Legends.

The award ceremonies concluded with the reading of "High Flight" by Morgan Freeman.

Many of the Legends and award attendees enjoyed the Après Awards Party, where hand-rolled Cuban cigars, libations, and aviation stories and camaraderie were celebrated.

Presenting sponsors were Beverly Hills Porsche and Bombardier Global. Other sponsors included Scheyden Precision Eyewear, the Original Club Glove, MotoArt, Jeppesen, Sparta Calendars, ICON Aircraft and Breitling Watches.

Visit www.LivingLegendsofAviation.org for more pictures and videos of the event.

Photo By Jay Carpenter

James Raisbeck, last year’s recipient, presents the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award to Sir Richard Branson.

Photo By Walter Holbrook

Emily Howell-Warner and Morgan Freeman

Photo By Lynn Krogh

All Legends and guests walk the red carpet as the paparazzi snap pictures.

Photo By Bob Shane

Natasha Pavlovich - actor and pilot

Photo By Walter Holbrook

The press inter views Harrison Ford on the red carpet.

Photo By Victor G. Archer

Lois and Buzz Aldrin

Photo By Walter Holbrook

Sir Richard Branson

Photo By Victor G. Archer

Actor and aerobatic pilot David Ellison and wife

Photo By Victor G. Archer

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhar t on the red carpet

Photo By Victor G. Archer

Pilot/actor Lorenzo Lamas

“The Offspring” frontman Dexter Holland flies his Cessna Citation and a Mooney

Photo By John Wright

The 6th Annual Living Legends of Aviation poster was signed by the Legends

Photo By John Wright

Ed Swearingen, one of the first to sign the 6th Annual Living Legends of Aviation poster.

Photo By John Wright

Alan Klapmeier, founder of Cirrus Aircraft

Photo By John Wright

Dr. Buzz Aldrin, first man to land on the moon

Photo By John Wright

Dick Rutan

Photo By John Wright

Kermit Weeks

Photo By John Wright

Major Paul

Photo By John Wright

Clay Lacy

Photo By John Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy

Photo By John Wright

Sean Tucker

Photo By John Wright

Morgan Freeman

Photo By John Wright

Calista Flockhart

Photo By John Wright

Harrison Ford

Photo By Walter Holbrook

Sir Richard Branson

Photo By John Wright

Emily Howell-Warner

Photo By John Wright

Bob Hoover

Photo Courtesy Nicole Jacquez

Dexter Holland with fan Nicole Jacquez

Photo By John Wright

Tom Danaher

Photo By Harlis Brend

Jerry Lips welcomes the guests and honorees and introduces the Legends and “Flown West” segment of the awards dinner.

Photo By Harlis Brend

Clay Lacy introduces Maj. Gen. Bill Anders and presents him with the Heritage Patriot Award. Clay said, “This is the aviator that I respect the most.”

Photo By John Wright

Emmy Award winner Nick Carter did a great job as emcee

Photo By Harlis Brend

Si Robin receives the Legends Aviation Inventor Award

Photo By Harlis Brend

Maj. Gen. Bill Anders presents the Legends Top Flyer Award to Maj. Paul “Max” Moga

Photo By Harlis Brend

Pete Bunce, President and CEO of GAMA

Photo By Jay Carpeter

Emcee Nick Carter

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Bob Hoover presents the Bob Hoover Freedom of Flight Award to Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter

Photo By Harlis Brend

Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, speaking on behalf of the new Legend inductees

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Photo By Harlis Brend

Emily Howell-Warner

Photo By John Wright

Emily Howell-Warner, first woman pilot and captain of a scheduled airline, receives the Bob Hoover Freedom of Flight Award

Photo By Harlis Brend

A little nostalgia was ser ved up with stewardesses from another era.

Photo By John Wright

Sir Richard took time to try to sell some space flight tickets.

Photo By Harlis Brend

Ed Bolen, NBAA President, honored as Aviation Industry Leader of the Year

Photo By Harlis Brend

Sean Tucker was proud to introduce his good friend, Harrison Ford.

Photo By John Wright

Morgan Freeman at the microphone as spokesperson for Kiddie Hawk Air Academy

Photo By John Wright

Joe Clark addresses the audience

Photo By John Wright

Major Max Moga receives the Legend’s Top Flyer Award.

Photo By Harlis Brend

Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter and Jerry Lips

Photo By Harlis Brend

James Raisbeck

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Shall we dance? Harrison Ford and Sean Tucker on stage

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Kiddie Hawk trainer highlights the program along with sponsors and honorees

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Morgan Freeman concludes the awards dinner by reading “High Flight”

Photo Courtesy Paul Lips

Sean Tucker and Paul Lips

Photo By Walter Holbrook

Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Bob Hoover and Sean Tucker promoting the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy

Photo By Harlis Brend

Fellow astronauts Maj. Gen. Bill Anders and Dr. Bonnie Dunbar with Aviation Legend Bruce McCaw

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Sir Richard Branson, Jerry Lips and Harrison Ford

Photo By Harlis Brend

Maj. Gen. Bill Anders and Kermit Weeks

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Betty Howard, Morgan Freeman, James Raisbeck and wife Sherry

Photo By Jay Carpenter

Legends Bob Hoover, Harrison Ford and Sean Tucker

Photo By Harlis Brend

Legends Joe Clark, Clay Lacy and Dr. Forrest Bird

Photo By Harlis Brend

Legend Maj. Gen. Bill Anders with John Nordstrom

Photo By Harlis Brend

Austin Blue with Linden Blue, recipient of the Aviation Entrepreneur of the year Award

Photo By Harlis Brend

Mike Melvill, pilot of SpaceShipOne flight

Photo By Harlis Brend

MotoArt’s owner Dave Hall (third from left) with friends

Photo Coutesy Pat Epps

Bob Wilson and Sean Tucker

Frank Robinson

Photo By Harlis Brend

Legend Julie Clark and Barrington Irving

Photo By Harlis Brend

Legend Barron Hilton and F. Lee Bailey

Photo By Walter Holbrook

Emily Howell-Warner, Cleo and Carroll Shelby

Photo By Harlis Brend

Tom Wathen

Photo Coutesy Pat Epps

The Flight Path Learning Center & Museum at LAX donated the use of these vintage 60’s airline uniforms for the evening. The “Bomber Girls” lead by Barbara Bloom volunteered their time and talents as greeters, hostesses, and for photographs.