Public Benefit Flying Awardees 2003- 2013

The National Aeronautic Association and the Air Care Alliance Present the Public Benefit Flying Awardees 2003- 2013 Going Above and Beyond The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Air Care Alliance (ACA) created these national awards in order to recognize the significant contributions to the Nation of volunteer-based Public Benefit Flying and the outstanding work of the individuals and organizations engaged in this humanitarian activity. 2013 Awardees Distinguished Volunteer Pilot Hank Stoebenau, Angel Flight East For more than 13 years Hank Stoebenau has served as an Angel Flight East volunteer, demonstrating extraordinary commitment, generosity, and dedication as a pilot, committee worker, event planner, and Board Member. He is invaluable, filling those hard-to-fill last minute missions, and he has a reputation for going above and beyond for his passengers, ensuring that their needs always come first. Hank’s hard work and dedication extends far beyond the sky, serving in many roles furthering the service of all the volunteer pilots of this large regional group. Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying AERObridge AERObridge created a nationwide network of volunteer aircraft owners, operators, FBOs, and pilots willing to donate their time, effort, and funding for the alleviation of the suffering of those in need due to disaster or circumstance – all of which was put to use in their tremendous response in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. By coordinating and matching donated aircraft with emergency response teams and critical supplies in times of catastrophic emergency they provide a vital window of assistance to save lives and aid those in need. Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying Civil Air Patrol In response to Hurricane Sandy, members of the Civil Air Patrol provided aerial imagery to FEMA as well as to state and local relief agencies, providing a remarkable level of support and information regarding damage, impact, and surveillance, all crucial for the recovery efforts and the welfare of many East Coast residents, as well as setting a new standard of service for future natural disasters. One hundred CAP aircrews flew 696 sorties, logging 1,407 flight hours, and more than 250 members worked thousands of man-hours in more than two months as part of the response. Public Benefit Flying Teamwork Award ORBIS and Fed Ex ORBIS and FedEx have exhibited a thirty year partner- ship in public benefit flying to fight blindness and vision impairment around the world through the use of flying eye hospitals and medical personnel, as envisioned by ORBIS founder Al Ueltschi. They have aided more than 18 GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND million people in more than 90 countries since the program’s inception. These two organizations have served as leaders in showing the global community what can be done by combining quality health care with the mobility of aviation to combat preventable health problems that limit the abilities of citizens in developing countries from reaching their full life potential. Champion of Public Benefit Flying The AOPA Air Safety Institute The institute’s online course “Public Benefit Flying: Balancing Safety and Compassion” was developed to enhance public benefit flying’s safety culture by helping volunteer pilots learn to mitigate pressures, manage risk, and avoid harm. Promoted by AOPA and the Air Care Alliance, the course’s flight profiles and interactive decision-making scenarios help pilots understand how volunteer flying demands professionalism and responsibility – far beyond that of a leisurely personal flight. The course provides uniform safety education through an online public benefit flying course which may be used by all public benefit flying volunteers and their organizations to nurture safe operations. Champion of Public Benefit Flying Greater Washington Aviation Open As the largest aviation charity event in Washington, DC, for more than twenty five years the Greater Washington Aviation Open fundraising effort has raised more than $1.8 million to benefit organizations flying cancer patients (Corporate Angel Network) and wounded warriors (Veterans Airlift Command), and by educating future aviation leaders through scholarships awarded to deserving minority students majoring in aeronautical engineering at major universities. This fundraiser brings the entire aviation community together, “Fore a Great Time…Fore a Great Cause.” 2012 Awardees Distinguished Volunteer Pilot Susan Lapis, Southwings Susan Lapis earned her wings in 1992 and has been a volunteer pilot for SouthWings since early 1999. SouthWings is a non-profit conservation organization that provides skilled pilots and aerial education to enhance conservation efforts across the Southeastern United States. Susan’s 14 years of service exemplified by her dedication, commitment, and passion for flying and conservation has made her one of SouthWings’ premier and most beloved pilots. Flying Adventures magazine referred to her as a “Flying Friend to the Environment” and noted that “the enthusiasm of Susan…is a dazzling thing to behold.” She is being honored for her extraordinary accomplishments based on her demonstrated long-term, unwavering, selfless sacrifice of resources, time, and expertise for the betterment of humankind. National Public Benefit Flying Award Recipients 2003-2013 Distinguished Volunteer Pilot Del Reiff, Wings Of Hope Del Reiff is a “Pilot’s Pilot”-- someone who is not simply a good or compe- tent pilot but one who approaches flying and aviating with a unique set of skills. Through Wings of Hope, which has Bases of Operation in 45 countries, Del has used his aviation skills for decades to serve mankind on several continents. He has flown more than 3,900 hours. As an example, in 2002 Del transported Conchita, an eight-year-old girl who was suffering from a traumatic head wound and was comatose, from San Pedro on the Ambergris Key to medical facilities in Merida, Mexico. Nine years later, a woman approached Del while he was walking on the streets of San Pedro, Belize. She told him she was the mother of that child, Conchita. Conchita had finished at the top of her class and was now teaching school. Del is at home as an Aviator and Mechanic in remote places from the war-torn Congo to the Amazon Jungles. Tribal people in six countries call Del “friend.” Distinguished Volunteer Award Debi Boies, Pilots N Paws For Debi Boies, creating a national organization that has greatly contributed to the public good by transporting rescue animals from high kill shelters to rescues and forever homes was a natural progres- sion from her life dedicated as a rescue volunteer. The idea for Pilots N Paws first began in 2001 when she drafted a colleague to fly a rescued Doberman, which had been badly injured in dog fights, to a facility where he would be cared for. Pilots N Paws is the story of pilots banding together to save the lives of innocent animals. The PNP inbox is flooded with thank you notes from people whose newest addition to their family was flown to them by PNP. Last month PNP heard from a woman named Fran who adopted a Yorkie named Snickers. Fran wrote, “I wanted you to know the impact and joy you’ve created by rescuing her. She is much loved and is getting me healthy. I love her to pieces. Thank you for bringing her. New job. New dog. Life is good. Thank you.” Thousands of notes share the same sentiments that many of the dogs given a second chance at life flown by a PNP pilot inevitably repay the favor to their new owners. Distinguished Volunteer Larry Scheffler, Miracle Flights For Kids Since 1985, Larry Scheffler has volunteered as a fundraiser, Board Member, donor, business advisor, and cheerleader. Larry’s impact on Miracle Flights is attributed to his love of general aviation and children. Bound by a common commitment to improve the quality of life for all, Larry joined Miracle Flight’s Mission to let no barrier stop a child from reaching the care he or she needs…not time, distance, or money. To date, with his help, Miracle Flights for Kids has provided more than 73,000 free general aviation, corporate, and commercial flights and flown more than 38 million miles on behalf of sick children in every state to get them to life-saving treatments they so desper- ately need. Larry has been a “Miracle Worker” for Miracle Flights for Kids. GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND Outstanding Achievement In Advancement Of Public Benefit Flying Bob Showalter And Showalter Flying Service Since 1945, Showalter Flying Service, named one of the top Best Indepen- dent FBO’s in the U.S. each of the last ten years by Professional Pilot magazine, has been striving to make aviators feel at home regardless of whether Orlando is their domicile or just their destination. They are proudly Florida’s oldest and largest family-owned FBO, now entering their third generation. At the helm is Bob Showalter, who is celebrating his 33rd year at the company. Bob has served as chairman of the National Air Transporta- tion Association, serves on the National Business Aviation Association Security Council and was awarded NBAA’s prestigious American Spirit Award. More than 60 years of tireless work has resulted in the company’s reputation for outstanding service and quality. They are committed to quality, efficiency, and prompt service, delivered with a smile. The organization has gone far beyond the call of duty in the support of numerous Public Benefit Flying Organizations. Champion Of Public Benefit Flying Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Lightspeed Aviation Foundation promotes a vibrant and growing pilot community, supports education that will preserve and extend the future of aviation, and uses their gifts given to the aviation community to serve others for the betterment of our world. Their work furthers the future of aviation for later generations. As members of the aviation community, they seek ways to partner with all members of the pilot world to advance the future of aviation.

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