Plant City Observer
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VOLUME 6, NO. 74
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019
STOLEN VEHICLE INCIDENT ENDS WITH DRIVER’S DEATH Early Sunday morning, a man was shot and killed by a PCPD officer after driving a stolen vehicle directly toward him. SEE PAGE 5
LOCAL PILOT RECEIVES THE WRIGHT BROTHERS
MASTER PILOT
AWARD In a quiet ceremony in a hangar at the Plant City Airport on Nov. 23, Wilson Grier became one of a highly select group of aviators to receive the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Only one other pilot from the Plant City area has received the award since its inception 16 years ago. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A local pilot has received one of the highest honors for aviators in a special ceremony at the Plant City Airport. To honor his years of expertise in the sky, Wilson Grier was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which is the “most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61.” Named after the legendary Wright Brothers, who were the first U.S. pilots, the award is given to those who have exhibited professionalism, skill and aviation expertise for a minimum of 50 years while “piloting aircraft as Master Pilots.”
“I’ve had a varied career,” Grier said. “I’ve flown for airlines, private charters, for the military. This award is for being involved in aviation in excess of 50 years and for focusing on safety and professionalism. I was fortunate enough to have had several letters of recommendation from people I have flown with over the years.”
SEE PAGE 3