Four individuals have been selected for their contributions to flight instruction, maintenance, avionics and safety, to be recognized at AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta as part of the General Aviation Awards Program. The awards program is a cooperative effort between the FAA and supporting organizations. It is designed to “highlight the important role” played by specific individuals “in promoting aviation education and flight safety,” according to program co-chair JoAnn Hill. This year’s winners are William T. Fifles (AMT of the Year), Bruce Lundquist (Avionics Technician of the Year), Dean Eichholz (CFI of the Year), and Mark Edward Madden (FAA Safety Team Representative of the year).
The GA Awards Program’s selection process begins at the FSDO level. Individuals are selected as regional winners before national winners are selected from that group by volunteer judges comprised of previous national winners. The program exists in partnership with more than a dozen supporting organizations that include Women in Aviation International, NBAA, GAMA, AOPA, Garmin, King Schools and EAA. Past awards ceremonies have taken place at Oskhosh and this year’s winners will receive as part of their prize packages an all-expenses-paid trip to Oshkosh to attend the awards ceremony and other GA awards activities.
