News
NBAA to honour Harrison Ford
Oct. 2, 2013, Washington, D.C. - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced today that acclaimed actor and accomplished pilot Harrison Ford will receive NBAA’s Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership at the Opening General Session of the Association’s 2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013) in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 22.
October 2, 2013 By Carey Fredericks
In addition to his extensive work as an outspoken champion for general aviation, including numerous appearances before Congress, Ford also regularly flies missions in support of humanitarian and philanthropic causes. For example, Ford has participated in the Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift, which provides free transport for athletes to the Special Olympics USA National Games. Additionally, he works with the Corporate Angel Network, flying cancer patients to destinations where they can access the best possible treatment for their specific types of cancer. Ford also joined with hundreds of others in general aviation in flying relief missions to help victims of the January 2010 earthquake that struck the island nation of Haiti.
Since earning his private pilot certificate in 1996, Ford has also exposed countless young people to the excitement of aviation through the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA’s) Young Eagles program, and served as the program's chairman for more than five years. In 2010, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) honored Ford with the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for his many contributions to aviation as an accomplished pilot, aviation industry advocate, humanitarian and mentor.
“Harrison Ford is an enthusiastic and compassionate representative for general aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “In addition to utilizing a diverse number of aircraft types in support of his career and business endeavors, he also channels his passion for flight into demonstrating the vital humanitarian role that general aviation provides every day, in places all around the world.”
Created in 2006, NBAA’s Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership is named for Albert L. Ueltschi, who has been widely recognized for his lifetime of dedication to philanthropic causes, most notably in the development of international non-profit organization ORBIS, which brings together dedicated eye-care professionals and aviators to give the gift of sight to people in developing countries around the world.
Past recipients of the award include FedEx Express and its founder, Frederick W. Smith, for their support of ORBIS (2012); former U.S. Senate majority leader, surgeon and humanitarian pilot Bill Frist (2011); the donors and volunteers in the business aviation community who responded to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti following a devastating earthquake (2010); the Civil Air Patrol, in recognition of its work to provide disaster relief for people and communities in times of crisis (2009); Corporate Angel Network, for providing free flights aboard business aircraft to enable cancer patients to receive treatments (2008); Veterans Airlift Command, in recognition of the organization’s work to provide flights for wounded soldiers, veterans and their families (2007); and Cessna Aircraft Company, in recognition of the Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift (2006).
The Opening General Session for NBAA2013, during which Ford will be recognized, will take place Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 8:30 am at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).
