FREDERICK, MD – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), along with aviation industry leaders, and elected officials from Capitol Hill, gathered last night at Ronald Reagan National Airport’s historic Terminal A in Washington, D.C., for the third annual R.A. “Bob” Hoover Awards.
Pilot and award-winning movie actor Harrison Ford received the R.A. Bob Hoover Trophy and AOPA presented additional awards to lawmakers and other individuals for their contributions to general aviation. AOPA President Mark Baker noted that the trophy is presented to an “aviator who exhibits the airmanship, leadership, and passion for aviation and life demonstrated by Bob Hoover.”
During his remarks, Ford, a longtime AOPA member, summed up the freedom of flight in the United States as “a legacy” that was “particularly American.” He closed by saying, “We have a responsibility to provide safe aviation for all future aviators. God bless America.”
The Joseph B. “Doc” Hartranft Jr. Award, named for AOPA’s first president, was presented to Reps. Steve Russell (R-Okla.) and Ralph Abraham (R-La.) for their leadership and support of GA in Congress. Baker thanked the representatives who “spoke out on behalf of general aviation in the fight against so-called privatization when it mattered most.”
Russell said he began his “journey to fly” a year and a half ago and quickly realized the challenges of an aviation industry that served all types of aviators—both GA and commercial pilots. “Airspace belongs to ‘We, the people’—it doesn’t belong to anybody else,” he said. Russell, a former Army Ranger before being elected to Congress, commanded the Army unit in Iraq that captured former dictator Saddam Hussein.
Abraham concurred, adding, “It takes a village and Steve and I are proud to be part of that village.” He was referring to the battle to divest air traffic control from the FAA, which failed on Capitol Hill. He said, “It was a fight and thankfully, we prevailed.” In addition to being a member of Congress, Abraham is also a private pilot, medical doctor, veterinarian, and farmer.
Past Hartranft honorees include Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), and Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
AOPA also presented Freedom to Fly Awards to four dozen members of Congress for their dedication and actions in support of GA.
AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden, a former commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, presented the inaugural GA Safety Award to Van’s Aircraft founder, pilot, and engineer Dick VanGrunsven. “Dick’s work stands as testament that excellence and safety go hand in hand,” said McSpadden.
VanGrunsven, whose homebuilt aircraft manufacturing company recently celebrated the 10,000th completed kit, pledged to work with the safety institute and other aviation entities to further the safety for builders and operators of homebuilt aircraft.
Baker also presented the Laurence P. Sharples Perpetual Award to Alaska Airport Support Network volunteer Ron Dearborn. The retired engineer, private pilot, and Bellanca Scout owner was instrumental in coordinating several initiatives at Fairbanks International Airport. The award, named for AOPA’s first chairman of the board, is given to individuals who do not work in aviation but have nonetheless made extraordinary contributions to GA.
Full List of Awards & Recipients:
R.A. “Bob” Hoover Award:
Harrison Ford
Joseph B. “Doc” Hartranft Award:
Rep. Steve Russell and Rep. Ralph Abraham
General Aviation Safety Award:
Dick VanGrunsven
Sharples Award:
Ron Dearborn
Freedom to Fly Award:
Sen. John Thune
Sen. Jim Inhofe
Sen. Jerry Moran
Sen. Mike Rounds
Sen. Susan Collins
Sen. Dan Sullivan
Sen. Bill Nelson
Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Sen. Joe Manchin
Sen. Jack Reed
Sen. Thad Cochran
Sen. Patrick Leahy
Sen. Lisa Murkowski
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Sen. Chris Van Hollen
Sen. Roger Wicker
Rep. Ted Yoho
Rep. Liz Cheney
Rep. Kristi Noem
Rep. Robert Aderholt
Rep. Tom Cole
Rep. Warren Davidson
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart
Rep. Ron Estes
Rep. Bill Flores
Rep. Darrell Issa
Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Rep. Frank Lucas
Rep. Steve Palazzo
Rep. Todd Rokita
Rep. Francis Rooney
Rep. Scott Tipton
Rep. Kevin Yoder
Rep. Peter DeFazio
Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Elijah Cummings
Rep. Rick Larsen
Rep. Grace Napolitano
Rep. Dan Lipinski
Rep. Steve Cohen
Rep. Hank Johnson
Rep. Andre Carson
Rep. Rick Nolan
Rep. Dina Titus
Rep. Sean Maloney
Rep. Elizabeth Esty
Rep. Lois Frankel
Rep. Cheri Bustos
Rep. Jared Huffman
Rep. Julia Brownley
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier
Rep. Collin Peterson
Rep. Ralph Abraham
Rep. Steve Russell
Rep. Don Young
To learn more, read AOPA’s story.
About AOPA
Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly by creating an environment that gives people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy aviation and all it has to offer. As the world’s largest community of pilots and aviation enthusiasts with representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., Wichita, Kans., and seven regions across the United States, AOPA’s events, initiatives, and services bring current and future pilots together and make aviation more accessible to everyone. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org.
