Recognized In Multiple Categories, Including Outstanding Achievement

On September 16th the National Aeronautic Association presented their 2010 Public Benefit Flying Awards at the National Capitol building in Washington DC.  This year, one organization was recognized in multiple categories. The Distinguished Volunteer Pilot award was presented to a Bahamas Habitat Volunteer Pilot, Mr. Gene Schmidt, and the Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying was presented to the Bahamas Habitat organization.

The association also recognized all volunteers of Bahamas Habitat, as well as all organizations that participated in the Haitian relief efforts, with the Teamwork Award, which was presented jointly to Bahamas Habitat, NBAA and AERObridge (previously CARE). The Distinguished Volunteer Award was presented to Justin Ogden, Captain, Civil Air Patrol, Southwest Region, Arizona.

Gene Schmidt responded to Bahamas Habitat's call for pilots at the beginning of the Haiti earthquake disaster and proceeded to fly a portion of every week for over a month and a half in support of the mission delivering supplies and helping to extract people from the hardest hit areas of Haiti.

Bahamas Habitat Operating In Haiti

Bahamas Habitat and their 125 plus volunteer pilots like Gene Schmidt, were extensively involved in Haitian relief efforts through the use of general aviation aircraft. The organization responded with a command center in Nassau coordinating hundreds of volunteer aircraft to deliver hundreds of thousands of pounds of relief aid as well as transporting doctors and emergency volunteers to Haiti after the earthquake. Volunteer pilots came from all over the US and Canada to fly with Bahamas Habitat demonstrating the amazing potential available from the public benefit flying sector.

"It was an honor and a privilege for me to receive on behalf of Bahamas Habitat, as an organization as well as on behalf of each of our volunteers, these awards of recognition for their selfless service. Those of us that served know 'its not about us'. I was pleased that we had the opportunity to take a moment during the presentation to remember those that we served and those that are still suffering. I am so proud of each and every one that served and that was recognized by these awards", stated John Armstrong, President & Chairman of Bahamas Habitat.

"The honor of the Distinguished Volunteer Pilot Award further expresses our respect and gratitude for Gene's contribution to the betterment of people's lives.  Gene is the epitome of a servant, one who is always giving of himself uplifting the world around him…creatively too, he finds ways to do all this with an airplane", said Cameron King, Aviation and Disaster Response Coordinator, Bahamas Habitat.

Bahamas Habitat Operating In Haiti

"This is a prominent award for which Bahamas Habitat is very appreciative. We are honored and grateful to National Aeronautic Association and The Air Care Alliance for this recognition. It is the commitment and genuine caring of so many amazing volunteers that made our efforts this year possible. It is on behalf of each and every one of our volunteers, who give so much, that we acknowledge this recognition and accept this honor", continued John Armstrong.

Since 2003, the Public Benefit Flying Awards presented by the National Aeronautic Association in conjunction with Air Care Alliance have honored organizations and individuals who are committed to flying in order to serve others.

FMI: www.naa.aero, www.bahamashabitat.org