Opinions

AW&ST Laureates 2015

April 8, 2015

Among the award winners is John Leahy, “Airbus executive extraordinaire”, who received the Phillip J. Klass Lifetime Achievement Award

Ralph Hood

First, I was not awarded one of the AW&ST (Aviation Week & Space Technology) Laureates for 2015.

Second, I greatly admire those who were so honored.

In case you’ve been wondering how “additive manufacturing” is coming along, AW&ST’s Technology Laureate went to GE Aviation’s Greg Morris for his pioneering work in additive technology. This is one of the few times I have actually spotted a new technology as a winner. At other times I’ve predicted the failure of the Cessna Citation, the Learjet, FedEx and the Cessna Caravan. OTOH, I predicted that the Burns airplane would become the light twin of the future. What? You never heard of the Burns?

Another AW&ST Laureate that I enjoyed immensely was awarded to John Leahy, “Airbus executive extraordinaire”, who received the Phillip J. Klass Lifetime Achievement Award.

Decades ago Leahy used to teach Piper salespeople how to sell airplanes and I was one of those in his classes. When I first heard that he had left Piper, I called to ask if I could help him in any way. I’m now embarrassed to remember that I thought maybe I could help him.

Leahy has been called the best airplane salesman in the history of the industry. This award, however, recognizes “the larger impact he has had on the airplane and airline industries.”

Good on ya, John!

About the Author

Ralph Hood | Certified Speaking Professional

Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University.

Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico.