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The 23rd annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards will include a mix of musicians, entrepreneurs, astronauts and aviation industry leaders, including Morgan Freeman, John Travolta and Kenny G.
The awards will be hosted by John Travolta, the Official Ambassador of Aviation, and are meant to honor the men and women who have made extraordinary contributions to aviation and aerospace. Astronauts, entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record setters and celebrity pilots have been made Legends for their accomplishments in aviation.
"The Living Legends of Aviation is where Hollywood and the flight deck meet," said John Travolta. "It's an incredible night when the people who entertain the world stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the sky and beyond."
This year will have six new inductees, including:
First female space shuttle pilot and commander, Eileen M. Collins
Founder of Sunset Aviation and Solairus, Dan Drohan
Platinum country music singer and flight school operator, Aaron Tippin
President of Gulfstream Aerospace, Mark Burns
CEO of Epic Aircraft, Doug King
CEO andamp; President of Stallion 51 Corporation and Unusual Attitude Training, Lee Lauderback
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Proceeds from the awards will support the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a non-profit that introduces children to aviation through hands-on learning experiences. The goal of the organization is to create interest and build the next generation of aviation.
"What makes this night special is that it is compelling for everyone involved or fascinated with flight," said Stacey Elsner, executive director of the Living Legends of Aviation. "You will see a famous actor and aviator you know from the big screen standing next to an engineer who designed a revolutionary aircraft, an astronaut who has been to the moon and a world-renowned aerobatic pilot. It's a celebration of human achievement in every direction. The celebrities help draw the spotlight, but the real legacy of this event is the kids who look up at the night sky and decide they want to be part of that story one day. The Legends are here to celebrate achievement, but they're also here to pass the torch."