Awards Ceremony To Honor  Dr. Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, Tom Cruise, Other Aviation Legends

The 7th Annual "Living Legends of Aviation" awards, presented by Learjet, will be handed out January 22nd at the Beverly Hilton.

John Travolta

Often referred to as the "Academy Awards of Aviation," the aviation Legends awards gala is produced by Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a non-profit organization that introduces kids to aviation. The awards ceremony recognizes great work, dedication and accomplishments in aviation. The importance of leadership and commitment to aviation in these challenging times make this recognition event even more significant.

John Travolta, the official Ambassador of Aviation, will present the "Top Aviation Inspiration and Patriotism Award" to actor Tom Cruise. Growing up in modest economic conditions, Cruise's family moved frequently.  But once young Tom hung his P-51 Mustang photo in his bedroom, he felt at home. Not surprisingly, he now owns a P-51 Mustang and other aircraft and is an accomplished aerobatic pilot. Top Gun, the highest grossing aviation movie of all time, has inspired generations of young pilots and patriotism in many Americans. Cruise's flying machines and commitment to aviation define his passion for flight.

Dr. Buzz Aldrin will receive the "First Out of This World Landing and Take-Off Award." Buzz took his first airplane ride with his father when he was 2 years old. His father, a military man, served as aide to Billy Mitchell, the father of the U.S. Air Force. As a boy, Buzz showed an early interest in all things mechanical, designing all types of contraptions. As a young man he flew 66 missions in Korea. Astoundingly, walking on the moon barely tops the very long list of successes and challenges that have defined Buzz Aldrin's life as a pilot, military man, scientist, astronaut and one of the world's most forward-thinking futurists. "The world needs to venture outward to satisfy our curiosity, our need to achieve and learn more about our place in this magnificent universe," says Aldrin. In 2009, the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11. He is one of only 12 astronauts to walk on the moon, and at age 80, is not slowing down. Buzz Aldrin continues to inspire.

Buzz Aldrin

Additional awards presented by the Legends throughout the evening include:

• "Aviation Industry Leader of the Year: Preston Henne has earned the aviation industry's highest leadership award. Henne became VP of General Dynamics in July 1999 when the company acquired Gulfstream. He is responsible for Gulfstream's product program management, engineering, and flight operations. He joined Gulfstream in 1994 and is credited with the design, development and certification of the Gulfstream V aircraft, which was awarded the 1997 Collier Trophy. Henne's leadership, management and engineering skills have earned him extraordinary respect and admiration throughout the aviation industry.
• "Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year":  South African born, Elon Musk, an American physicist, inventor, entrepreneur, innovator and philanthropist, is best known for founding PayPal, Tesla Motors, and SpaceX. His father inspired his love of technology. In 1999 Musk co-founded x.com, an online financial services and email payments company. He later changed the company's name to PayPal and sold the company in 2002. Musk founded Tesla Motors, and is Chairman and CEO of the electric sports car company. The company is now developing an economical four-door electric sedan. Musk founded and serves as Chairman and CEO of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), which was recently awarded a multi-billion dollar contract with the U.S. Government to develop and build space launch vehicles for NASA to replace the retiring space shuttles.
•  "Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur": Joe Clark's early fascination with aviation developed into a lifelong passion. He founded JetAir, the first Learjet distributorship in the Northwest in 1965. His career moved to Raisbeck Engineering where he became VP of Sales. He later partnered with Milt Koult to form Horizon Air, a highly successful Seattle-based regional airline that was purchased by Alaska Airlines. In 1988, Clark, Clay Lacy, and Bruce McCaw formed the Friendship Foundation, raising more than $500,000 for children's charities, as they set a world speed record flying a 747 around the world. In 1991, Clark and Dennis Washington founded Aviation Partners, inventing and developing blended winglets. Clark's innovations and entrepreneurial impact reach well beyond the aviation industry. His patented winglets are making a huge ecological impact, saving millions of gallons of fuel and diminishing wear on aircraft engines. A recipient of the Horatio Alger award in 2008, Clark is the only person who has been honored as both Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year and Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur, receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2005.
• "Bob Hoover Freedom of Flight Award": As a child, Kermit Weeks was a "dreamer and a designer." When he was 13, his life's focus became flight and aircraft. He was always fascinated with technical things. Weeks has the largest private collection of vintage aircraft in the world, with over 140 aircraft. All of these aircraft are well-maintained and flying. As founder of Fantasy of Flight, Weeks is dedicated to teaching young people about aviation and flight. Fantasy of Flight is billed as "the world's greatest aviation attraction."
•  "Aviation Mentor Award": Highly successful life-long actor Kurt Russell says, "Flying has taught me more about who I really am than anything I've ever done." Nearly 22 years into his love affair with flying, he encourages others to fly and mentors many pilots in and out of the entertainment business. He's positively passionate about learning every aspect of flying. "You know what they say about a pilot's license? It's a license to learn." Kurt continues, "Leave your ego at the door; when you get into a plane, it's serious business. And yes, it's a love affair in the air that continues to add joy to my life."

FMI: www.livinglegendsofaviation.org