CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

AVIATION: “FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT”.

On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brother’s “Kitty Hawk” took to the skies for the world’s first successful powered flight. Precisely 100 years later, Jerry Lips launched the “Living Legends of Aviation” at his hangar office at Centennial Airport, Colorado. Lips, publisher of the family-owned Airport Journals, created “Living Legends of Aviation” with the mission: to honor and celebrate the remarkable people who have helped usher in – and transform – the second hundred years of flight: aviation’s entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record-breakers, astronauts; pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots.” Airport Journals published biographies in each issue featuring a “Living Legend of Aviation.” The annual awards gala began in 2003 with the 100-year celebration of flight at their hangar at Centennial Airport. In 2006, the venue moved to the Beverley Hilton in Los Angeles where it has continued to grow, and in 2008, the non-profit, Kiddie Hawk Air Academy acquired the “Living Legends of Aviation” and is responsible for producing the annual awards.

The “Legends” meet annually to celebrate the 2nd hundred years of flight and to honor new inductees and honorees who have contributed to the advancement of aviation’s future. The “Legends” organization has honored such diversified Legends as Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, first to walk on the moon; and aerospace entrepreneurs Eren and Fatih Ozmen, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. These remarkable entrepreneurs represent the extraordinary advancement in the technology that is going to take man to the moon and Mars.

The scope of the “Living Legends of Aviation Awards” is growing as well. Aviation is a global industry and the “Legends” honor important aviation heroes and visionaries from all parts of the world. The first “Living Legends of Aviation Awards Europe” debuted in Salzburg, Austria in 2017. The event provides the opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable heroes, pilots, engineers, entrepreneurs and visionaries who continue to enrich and distinguish the aeronautics industry.