 | Aviation Week (Web Site)
Fore! NBAA To Honor Arnold Palmer
Jul 12, 2010
Posted by Gail K. WarnerFORE! This year's NBAA convention will be even more entertaining than ever. Now we can gawk at all the aircraft and dream of owning our own fleet and also brush elbows with one of golf's greatest legends. The NBAA has just announced that Arnold Palmer will receive its 2010 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. In addition, Chuck McKinnon, a business pilot and aviation legend, will receive its 2010 Jack Doswell Award.
The Meritorious Service to Aviation Award is NBAA’s most distinguished honor, presented annually to an individual who, by virtue of a lifetime of personal dedication, has made significant, identifiable contributions that have materially advanced aviation interests. The Doswell Award is granted for lifelong individual achievement on behalf of, and in support of the aims, goals and objectives of business aviation.
"NBAA is proud to recognize these two outstanding members of the business aviation community for their dedication and many contributions to the industry," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Arnold Palmer is a respected advocate for business aviation. He also knows first-hand the importance of business aviation. Because his business is located in Latrobe, PA – a town not served by the commercial airlines – business aviation has been a vital element in the success of Palmer's post-golf career enterprises.
Palmer serves as a spokesperson for the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is jointly sponsored by NBAA and GAMA. The campaign educates policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the country.
Palmer will be represented with the Meritorious Service Award in a very special general session at the NBAA convention exhibit floor on Oct. 20.
In addition, Chuck McKinnon will receive the 2010 Doswell Award at the convention. He is being recognized for his pioneering role in business aviation, and his pivotal leadership in unlocking the industry’s future in the U.S., Europe and beyond.
McKinnon flew as a commercial pilot for United Airlines during World War II. When the carrier received an air transport contract, he flew supplies and troops in the U.S. and overseas. In 1954, he was tapped to fly the first business airplane used by IBM, which transported IBM engineers to locations across the country for on-site projects.
As IBM’s flight department grew, McKinnon unveiled the company’s aviation facilities at Le Bourget Airport. The flight department was the first business aviation operation in Europe, with three aircraft based at Le Bourget. McKinnon continually championed the value of Le Bourget to French government officials and was instrumental in thwarting plans to level the airport to make room for residential and commercial development.
|  | NBAA's Bolen on Fox Business Network  Click here to see Ed Bolen, President and CEO of NBAA, in an interview on Fox Business Network NBAA's Bolen on DC's Newschannel 8  In an interview with Newschannel 8, Bolen explains that "... business aviation is prudent, cost-effective, and oftentimes, the only way to get where you're going." |
