Fort Atkinson, WI (August 23, 2011). Cygnus Business Media, a leading business-to-business media company, announced today that AMTSociety Executive Director, Tom Hendershot, received a unanimous endorsement for induction into the OX5 Aviation Pioneers Aviation Hall of Fame. Hendershot will be the only inductee from the U.S. at the organization's 56th Annual Reunion.
Hendershot was just seven when he took his first ride in a Piper J-3 Cub with Alice Gates, a well-known aviatrix. In his teens, he joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet and attended West Technical High School, where he specialized in Aviation. For more than half a century, he has been involved in the field of aviation beginning as a part-time Maintenance Apprentice for Sundorph Aeronautical Corporation (SAC) and joining the United States Air Force. In October of last year, Hendershot was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.
"For Cygnus Business Media, we are fully aware that Tom's unique relationship with all things aviation translates into his enthusiastic leadership of AMTSociety," says CEO John French. "Over the last 50 years, he has committed his heart and soul to building up the industry. The honors he has received are testament to the role he has played in advancing the society’s goals. We are very proud of his achievements."
Hendershot worked his way as a mechanic through flight school, eventually becoming Chief Flight Instructor at General Aviation at Lost Nation Airport in Willoughby, Ohio. During that time he was also part owner and Vice President of Operations for Air-Motive Specialties Inc. at the Willoughby airport. In the late 1990s, he took a position with Frontier Airlines Inc. as a Quality Assurance Inspector, Maintenance Instructor, and Director of the AMT Program starting in 1999. Under his leadership, Frontier Airlines Inc. became the first FAR 121 certificated airline to receive the FAA Diamond of Excellence Award, and did so for nine consecutive years.
In January 2007, he assumed the role of Executive Director of AMTSociety. He currently serves on the boards of various industry associations including National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT), Aviation Technical Education Council (ATEC), National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) Maintenance Committee, Redstone College, Northrop-Rice Foundation Executive Board (NRF), Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC), Aviation Regulatory Advisory Council FAR 147, Chairman Emily Griffith Opportunity School for Aviation Denver Public Schools System, Chairman FAA/Industry General Aviation Awards Program Advisory Board, and Chairman of the FAA National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year Selection Committee, part of the General Aviation Awards Program.
Hendershot stated it is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the distinguished and prestigious OX5 Aviation Pioneers Hall of Fame along with the other individuals who have contributed and given so much to the aviation industry since 1903. "I have worked to improve the training, safety, and working conditions for our nation's air carrier maintenance technicians, and to provide much needed, otherwise unavailable, recurrent training for many of this country's general aviation mechanics. It is a true pleasure to have such a dedicated Board of Directors to work with and give back all we can to the aviation industry."
The OX5 Aviation Pioneers was organized in 1955 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, "To compile and record in detail the historical and educational history of the development of air transportation. To perpetuate the memory of pioneer airmen and their great sacrifices, accomplishments and contributions to the development of civil aviation and to do honor to all pioneers in aviation, especially those associated with the OX5 engine." The OX5 Aviation Pioneers Aviation Hall of Fame ceremony will take place in Hammondsport, New York, on September 23rd - 25th, 2011.
AMTSociety is a growing organization focused on the aviation maintenance technician. Its mission is to actively promote and protect the professional aircraft maintenance technician, enhance the future of the profession, and to provide resources and benefits to its members. AMTSociety focuses on individual self-improvement for members including technological advancement, safety enhancements, and maintenance human factors training.
AMTSociety is part of the Diversified media group at Cygnus, which also includes Airport Business, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Ground Support Worldwide, and the Cygnus Aviation Expo. The company reaches millions of professionals annually. As one of America's top business-to-business media companies, Cygnus is leading the way in providing targeted content to top decision-makers and organizations. The company’s corporate initiatives and organizational architecture are built with one goal: fully engaging audiences in aviation, building & construction, public safety & security, and agriculture vertical markets, as well as diversified industries such as transportation, printing, accounting, and vending.
