Honors Humanitarian Leaders in Business Aviation
The National Business
Aviation Association (NBAA) announced the establishment of the NBAA
Albert Ueltschi Humanitarian Award on Friday. The award recognizes
individuals in business aviation who have supported effective
humanitarian causes.
"Often overlooked in the story of business aviation are the
unsung heroes whose humanitarian works make a real difference in
people's lives," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "These are
the people who organize countless flights to provide relief in the
wake of natural disasters, take people to where they can receive
medical assistance or bring the assistance to those in need, and
help kids expand their horizons and pursue their dreams.
"NBAA has created this award to recognize the people behind
these kinds of outstanding works, and we have named the award for
Al Ueltschi, a leader in humanitarianism and philanthropy in our
industry."
The recipient of the first NBAA Albert Ueltschi Humanitarian
Award will be announced just prior to NBAA's 59th Annual Meeting
& Convention in Orlando. The award, a bronze bird sculpture,
will be presented to the recipient during the Convention Awards
Luncheon, which will take place Tuesday, October 17, from 12:00 to
1:30 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center. A new award
recipient will be designated each year.
Albert Ueltschi, the award's namesake, has been widely
recognized for his lifetime of dedication to philanthropic causes.
He is the chairman of FlightSafety International, which he founded
in 1951, and at whose facilities more than 75,000 pilots,
technicians and other aviation professionals train annually.
Ueltschi is one of the early founders of ORBIS, an international
non-profit organization dedicated to preventing blindness and
saving sight worldwide. Ueltschi, who has served as ORBIS's
chairman for more than 20 years, has made a number of significant
financial contributions to the organization and has been
instrumental in developing many of its most important
initiatives.
Among Ueltschi's many awards are the
NBAA Award for Meritorious Service to Aviation, the NBAA American
Spirit Award, the Federal Aviation Administration's Award for
Extraordinary Service and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. In
addition, Ueltschi was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of
Fame in Dayton, OH. Ueltschi also will be receiving the 2006
Distinguished Achievement Award from the Wings Club later this
year.
"There aren't many awards Al hasn't received so it's time to
name one in his honor," Bolen concluded. "We look forward to
presenting the first recipient with the NBAA Albert Ueltschi
Humanitarian Award at this year's Annual Meeting &
Convention."