Brian J. Terwilliger will serve as the master of ceremonies for the NAHF 46th Annual Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony occurring in Dayton, Ohio, on July 21.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame will welcome Brian J. Terwilliger as the master of ceremonies for the 46th Annual Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony occurring in Dayton, Ohio, on July 21. Actor and pilot Michael Dorn, previously announced as the emcee for the “Oscar Night of Aviation,” recently had to cancel his participation due to a production schedule conflict.
Terwilliger has earned notoriety in both entertainment and aviation circles for his acclaimed 2005 documentary, “One Six Right,” a homage to general aviation and the romance of flying. He directed and produced the film.
A native of Connecticut, Terwilliger moved with his family to Southern California at 16. While attending college at California State University, Northridge, he created a new curriculum and major—bachelor of arts in business and entertainment—for which he received his degree. He currently owns and operates his own Los Angeles-based production company, Terwilliger Productions.
“One Six Right” refers to the main runway coordinates of the film’s main character—Southern California’s Van Nuys Airport. The documentary uncovers the airport’s rich history; it’s where Amelia Earhart broke speed records, Marilyn Monroe was discovered and scenes from “Casablanca” were filmed.
Terwilliger’s own experience of learning to fly at Van Nuys provided the inspiration to make the film. With extensive professional experience in film, television, music video and commercial production, Terwilliger’s goal was to capture on film the passion of flying, while celebrating the unsung hero of aviation—the local airport.
The pioneering film features the latest High Definition technology, with thrilling aerial photography, rare archival footage and a sweeping original score. Though the Van Nuys aircraft he captured on film include classics of the 1920s to today’s state-of-the-art jets, “One Six Right” is truly a captivating “people picture.” With no narrator, the story is told through the personal accounts of flight enthusiasts, air traffic controllers, historians and passionate pilots, including Sydney Pollack, Tony Bill, Clay Lacy and NAHF enshrinee Bob Hoover.
Through Terwilliger’s love story is about flying and of one airport, past to present, “One Six Right” shares the timeless romance of aviation with all ages. Actor and pilot Harrison Ford, a previous NAHF ceremony emcee, calls it “one of the finest aviation films ever made.” However, the film’s popularity extends beyond serving as entertainment. Since its release in June 2005, a number of national aviation organizations have adopted “One Six Right” to graphically communicate to the public the value of general aviation, especially local GA airports, which have been disappearing at an alarming rate. A special 12-city, nationwide tour included a screening for members of Congress.
With nearly 50,000 DVDs sold worldwide, “One Six Right” has also established Terwilliger as an innovator in movie distribution. His determination to maintain all distribution rights was a noted departure from the common practice of selling rights to a third-party distributor. A viral marketing strategy initially allowed the film to develop significant presence within its niche audiences worldwide. The film’s recent premier and repeat airings on Discovery HD Theater, a division of Discovery Television, enabled “One Six Right” to be seen by an even broader public audience.
Terwilliger will preside over the NAHF induction of five pioneers of air and space; Walter J. Boyne, Evelyn Bryan Johnson, Steve Fossett, Sally K. Ride and Frederick W. Smith. All five are expected to personally accept their NAHF enshrinement before an audience of more than 1,000 guests, which will include leaders from civil and military aviation and the aerospace industry, along with government officials, former enshrinees and aviation enthusiasts from around the United States.
Flying Physicians to receive Milton Caniff Award
Dr. Bob Arnot, noted physician, television correspondent and pilot, will present the 2007 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award to the Flying Physicians Association.
The Flying Physicians Association will be the recipient of the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 2007 Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award. Dr. Stephen Towle, FPA president, will accept the award on behalf of the organization at the NAHF President’s Reception and Dinner in Dayton on July 20. Dr. Bob Arnot, noted physician, television correspondent and pilot, will present the award.
A former medical correspondent for both NBC and CBS News networks, Arnot is a popular motivational speaker, the author of five books on health and medicine, and an international traveler and sportsman who is actively involved in a variety of humanitarian issues and organizations. Arnot’s many broadcast career accomplishments include an Emmy Award and a Vanity Fair magazine award for “Best Embedded Reporter” for his work in Iraq.
The FPA will also be recognized as part of the formal induction ceremony for the NAHF enshrinee Class of 2007. The FPA was officially formed in 1955, when the nonprofit physician pilot organization held its first gathering at the American College of Surgeons convention in Atlantic City, N.J. In the first year, 795 physician pilots joined the scientific and education-based organization. The FPA mission is defined as physician pilots promoting safety, education and human interest projects relating to medicine and aviation, while enjoying the fantasy of flight.
With five regional chapters offering two meetings per year and one national meeting held at various locations across the country, its nearly 1,000 current members have many opportunities to attend medical education and aviation safety lectures integral to all FPA meetings.
Throughout the years the FPA has contributed to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation projects and studies. The FPA works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration on medical issues and offers seminars, funds and annual aviation education scholarships. It also maintains a publicly accessible website, where its physician members answer questions relating to pilot medical certification.
The FPA is directly involved with Angel Flight America, helping the nonprofit organization identify areas of need and developing strategies to better utilize the resources and knowledge of its physician member volunteers. The FPA also acts as an ongoing referral service for several other aviation-related nonprofit agencies, such as Wings of Mercy and Wings of Hope. Many of its FPA members participate by volunteering for medical mission flights in their communities.
For 45 years, the NAHF has annually recognized the individual contributions of American air and space pioneers through the enshrinement process and ceremony. The Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award was created in 1981 to additionally acknowledge significant contributions to aviation made by a group or organization. It’s named in honor of the late Milton Caniff, noted artist and aviation enthusiast and a longtime NAHF supporter. Among previous recipients of the “Spirit of Flight” Award are the Civil Air Patrol, Doolittle Raiders, Mercury Seven Astronauts and Tuskegee Airmen.
Founded in 1962 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964, the NAHF is dedicated to honoring America’s outstanding air and space pioneers. The NAHF Learning & Research Center is a 17,250-square-foot facility located adjacent to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton. The enshrinement dinner and ceremony draws an audience of hundreds of aerospace, defense, government and industry leaders, as well as celebrity pilots and NAHF members and previous enshrinees.
For more information about the 46th Annual Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony, call 937-256-0944, ext. 10, or visit [http://www.nationalaviation.org]. For more information about the Flying Physicians Association, visit [http://www.fpadrs.org]. For more information about “One Six Right,” visit [http://www.onesixright.com].