Wright Brothers Master Pilots

[Jim Kellett]

The Master Pilot is the "most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61" (see https://www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterPilot/).

Five members of our club (Skyline Soaring) have been recipients of this award, and I was wondering if there are other US clubs out there with similar records?

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

I will say, Hank Nixon is likely there.......I have only been flying gliders maybe 45 years.
Hank was one of my early instructors...


Yep, I have no where the accolades he has. We both did all badges from Middletown, NY (he has a 1000K from Newcastle.....part of the "big one" decades ago) and we both did all badges through gold 2 diamonds from Middletown. He did the last Diamond from the NE, I still want the last diamond from Middletown and maybe do a 1000k from same site.

Yes, Hank (the real UH) is likely there for this distinction. I would vote for it.......as would likely others.....

Disclaimer, we are related through marriage, so yes, I am biased.......

[Tony[_5_]]

I think Kansas Soaring Association has three

[Citrus Soaring]

My grandfather Edwin Blanchard met the requirements but the award didn’t exist when he was alive.

My Father Robert Burbank was a recipient of the award and continued to fly for many years after receiving it.

My mother Janie Burbank passed away just prior to her 50th year of flying.

I hope to receive the award in the year 2049...haha

Congrats to all of the aviators that have received this amazing award!

Regards,

Franklin Burbank

[John Foster]

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 9:20:19 AM UTC-7, Jim Kellett wrote:
> The Master Pilot is the "most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61" (see https://www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterPilot/).
>
> Five members of our club (Skyline Soaring) have been recipients of this award, and I was wondering if there are other US clubs out there with similar records?

Dave Varnam (my instructor) of Spokane Soaring Society received this reward at the last SSA convention.

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 12:50:04 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> I will say, Hank Nixon is likely there.......I have only been flying gliders maybe 45 years.
> Hank was one of my early instructors...
>
>
> Yep, I have no where the accolades he has. We both did all badges from Middletown, NY (he has a 1000K from Newcastle.....part of the "big one" decades ago) and we both did all badges through gold 2 diamonds from Middletown. He did the last Diamond from the NE, I still want the last diamond from Middletown and maybe do a 1000k from same site.
>
> Yes, Hank (the real UH) is likely there for this distinction. I would vote for it.......as would likely others.....
>
> Disclaimer, we are related through marriage, so yes, I am biased.......

UH not eligible until 2023 but thanks for the nice words.
UH

[Scott Williams]

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 2:55:22 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 12:50:04 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> > I will say, Hank Nixon is likely there.......I have only been flying gliders maybe 45 years.
> > Hank was one of my early instructors...
> >
> >
> > Yep, I have no where the accolades he has. We both did all badges from Middletown, NY (he has a 1000K from Newcastle.....part of the "big one" decades ago) and we both did all badges through gold 2 diamonds from Middletown. He did the last Diamond from the NE, I still want the last diamond from Middletown and maybe do a 1000k from same site.
> >
> > Yes, Hank (the real UH) is likely there for this distinction. I would vote for it.......as would likely others.....
> >
> > Disclaimer, we are related through marriage, so yes, I am biased.......
>
> UH not eligible until 2023 but thanks for the nice words.
> UH

Oklahoma Soaring Assc. has three recipients, not bad for a 20 member club!
Scott

[Tony[_5_]]

An interesting metric for a glider club would be ratio of wright brothers master pilots to SSA youth Members...

[Scott Williams]

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 3:39:09 PM UTC-6, Tony wrote:
> An interesting metric for a glider club would be ratio of wright brothers master pilots to SSA youth Members...

Yes Tony,
But a deeper meaning in that ratio might simply illustrate the general publics enthusiasm for flying in the 1950's and 1960's compared to today.

[[email protected]]

If the era were the culprit the same problem would be playing out in Europe. It is not. Take a look at the UK Jr. Soaring Team. We're failing the youth not the other way around.

[John Foster]

On Monday, January 28, 2019 at 6:39:50 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> If the era were the culprit the same problem would be playing out in Europe. It is not. Take a look at the UK Jr. Soaring Team. We're failing the youth not the other way around.

What did the British do differently, that we haven't done?

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

I will say, sorta depends on the U.K. method vs. some US method.
I have to say (yes, biased for Valley Soaring/Middletown, NY) that some places, like VSC, HHSC and others, really try to help newer pilots, sorta regardless of age although most are aimed at cash strapped "kids".
I had support "unofficially" through my mother and the site in the mid '70's.
I have tried to pass that on through me and our club at VSC.

Our group had no payments from the government, it was peeps that kicked in cash or instructors that didn't get paid.

[Segelflieger]

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 11:20:19 AM UTC-5, Jim Kellett wrote:
> The Master Pilot is the "most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61" (see https://www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterPilot/).
>
> Five members of our club (Skyline Soaring) have been recipients of this award, and I was wondering if there are other US clubs out there with similar records?

Tidewater Soaring (TSS), Garner Virginia, has 4 living, one deceased. BTW, only one of them started flying as a glider pilot.

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 9:20:19 AM UTC-7, Jim Kellett wrote:
> The Master Pilot is the "most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61" (see https://www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterPilot/).
>
> Five members of our club (Skyline Soaring) have been recipients of this award, and I was wondering if there are other US clubs out there with similar records?

Received my Master Pilot award back in November of 2012. Geez, I'm I that old?
Never mind, don't answer that.
At least one other ASC member has his, J. D. Huss, not sure how many others there are.