Gen. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager was honored with the Spreading Wings Award, at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum’s fourth annual Spreading Wings Gala.
On November 11, Denver’s Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum hosted its fourth annual Spreading Wings Gala. At the event, Gen. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager was honored with the prestigious Spreading Wings Award, a tribute to his leadership of aviation education youth programs, especially the EAA Young Eagles program. Peter Coors chaired the event.
Yeager won a permanent place in aviation history as the first pilot to fly faster than the speed of sound. His most recent achievements have been with the Young Eagles program. He served as chairman from 1994 to 2003, and saw the program through its one-millionth student flown.
“Perhaps no one person more represents the Spreading Wings Award than Chuck Yeager,” said Greg Anderson, president and CEO of Wings Over the Rockies. “His dedication to the advancement of aviation and his commitment to inspiring young people to always look to the skies have made him a legend and an icon of our generation.”
Wings Over the Rockies sponsored a Young Eagles rally to wrap up its Right Stuff Countdown and kickoff the gala. Yeager attended the event, held at Centennial Airport’s Signature Flight Support on Nov. 11.
The event kicked off at 9:00 a.m., with more than 30 pilots from three local EAA chapters volunteering their time and airplanes. They gave more than 100 local children the opportunity to experience flight in general aviation aircraft. More than 40 ground volunteers helped with the participating youth.
The children helped with preflight inspections and took to the sky with the pilot volunteers. The museum provided additional hands-on activities, including flight simulators, to emphasize aviation-related math and science.
For past coverage of General Yeager, visit [http://www.airportjournals.com].
-
- Those present to honor General Yeager included Medal of Honor recipient George T. Sakato (right).
-
- Event chair Peter Coors (right) and Pat Wiesner (left), Wings’ board chairman, present the Spreading Wings Award to General Yeager.
-
- Gen. Chuck Yeager poses with the Civil Air Patrol Valkyrie Cadet Squadron at the Young Eagles Rally held at Centennial Airport.
-
- Centennial Airport Director Robert Olislagers and Signature Flight Support General Manager Craig Teasdale share a moment with General Yeager.
-
- Mark Coubrough (left) was the winner of the Right Stuff Countdown. He received a signed X-1 model. Joe Thibodeau’s P-51 Mustang, based at Centennial Airport, is in the background.
-
- Pilots from local EAA chapters volunteered their time and airplanes. They gave more than 100 local children the opportunity to experience flight in general aviation aircraft.