National Aviation Heritage Invitational Announces 2013 Awards to Restored Aircraft

National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees joined presenting sponsor Perform Air. in awarding the Grand Champion Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy to the:
1946 Beechcraft D-18S N5QQ
Owned by Matt Walker of Henderson, Nevada

Winners in other categories:

• Antique: Orville and Wilbur Wright Trophy – 1942 Interstate S-1A
Owned by Jeff and Kim Powschwatta of Kent, Washington

• Classic: Paul E. Garber Trophy – 1949 Aeronca 11-CC
Owned by Damon Duree of Oakland, California

• Military: Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold Trophy – 1945 Vickers-Armstrong Spitfire
Owned by John Sessions of Mukilteo, Washington

• Large: Howard Hughes Trophy – 1954 Grumman G-111 Albatross
Owned by Joe Duke of Jacksonville Beach, Florida

• The National Aviation Hall of Fame People’s Choice Award:
1954 Grumman G-111 Albatross, owned by Joe Duke of Jacksonville, Florida

Assisting in the trophy presentations to the winning owners were National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees Dick Rutan, Clarence ‘Bud’ Anderson, Robert ‘Hoot’ Gibson Herb Kelleher, R.A. Bob Hoover, Clay Lacy and Sean Tucker.

The Heritage is held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races and celebrates aviation treasures. This endeavor is a joint effort under the auspices of Perform Air., the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, with support from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, Air Transport World, Airmail Greetings, Air and Space Smithsonian Magazine, LiveAirShowTV and The Perich Group.

The National Aviation Heritage Invitational encourages preservation of aviation history through the restoration of aircraft to original flying condition. The Invitational was founded in 1998. A five-member panel, including representatives of the National Air and Space Museum, judges each aircraft on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer’s condition is the “gold standard” for each plane.

More information can be found at www.heritagetrophy.org

Source: NAHI

Neil A. Armstrong National Aviation Heritage Trophy Arrives in Virginia

Dulles-Virginia: Today the newly named Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy sits proudly at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center outside Washington, D.C.

Ken Perich, Executive Director, National Aviation Heritage Invitational, stated: “We are proud and delighted to place this trophy named for a great American and hero at ‘America’s Hangar’, our country’s cornerstone of aviation history.”

Up until 2012, the Grand Champion of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational- the aircraft judged to be the most authentic example of aircraft restoration has been awarded The Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy. The striking six-foot trophy has resided at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center since 2004.

On September 16, 2012 National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees unveiled the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy at the National Championship Air Races.

The Invitational competition encourages the preservation and restoration of historic aircraft to airworthy condition and to the very highest standards of workmanship and historical accuracy and are judged by a five-member panel including representatives from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space

The owner of the winning aircraft is presented with a “keeper” trophy by members of the NAHI staff and Enshrinees of the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Sponsoring the trophy this year is Gilbert, Arizona-based Perform Air International.

The National Aviation Heritage Invitational was created in 1998 partnering with Rolls-Royce North America, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Reno Air Racing Foundation and many aviation related organizations to foster the preservation of our rich aviation history by encouraging the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition. .

Join us in 2013 in Reno as we celebrate our 15th year at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada.

Contact:
Ken Perich, Executive Director, National Aviation Heritage Invitational LLC
e-mail: ken.perich@perichgroup.com
Tel: 703-615-3018

Connie May, Communications Director, National Aviation Heritage Invitational LLC
e-mail: cpardew@att.net
Tel: 775-530-2297

2012 Grand Champion- Duncan Cameron (r) pictured here with Aviation Legend, R.A. ‘Bob’ Hoover -National Aviation Heritage Awards Ceremony - Sept 2012

Heritage Invitational Winners Profile

PFLUGERVILLE, TX – September 23, 2012 – Just a week ago, the National Aviation Heritage Invitational recognized the top restorations at this year’s event, during the Reno Air Races.  Trophies were awarded in four categories, plus the People’s Choice Award, and the Grand Champion.  LiveAirShowTV covered the Invitational all during the week from arrivals, through judging and finally the awarding of trophies.

Enshrinees from the National Aviation Hall of Fame, including Bob Hoover, Sean D. Tucker, Bud Anderson, Clay Lacy, and Dick Rutan were on hand to unveil the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy and to present trophies to the winners.

See the planes that won, and hear from some of the winners HERE:

Watch for more post-event coverage from the Reno Air Races as well as some fall air shows.  Follow us on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook.  The air show season may be winding down, but LiveAirShowTV will continue to bring fans the “Inside Story” from the world of aviation and air shows.

Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy Awarded

National Aviation Heritage Invitational 

Announces 2012 Awards to Restored Aircraft
and Inaugural Recipient of the 

Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy

National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees joined presenting sponsor Perform Air in awarding the Grand Champion Neil A. Armstrong National Aviation Heritage Invitational Trophy to the:
•    1944 OY-1 Consolidated Vultee Stinson. This splendid aircraft is owned by Duncan Cameron of Lebanon, TN. Restoration by Duncan Cameron and Tom Westfall.

Winners in other categories:
•    Antique-Orville and Wilbur Wright Trophy:  1937 Stinson SR-9F – owned by Richard Rezabek of New Meadows, ID.
•    Classic-Paul E. Garber Trophy: 1952 Cessna 195B. Owned by Jay Carter of Twain Harte, CA. Restoration – Factory original.
•    Military-Admiral James Stockdale Trophy:  1965 Bell Helicopter UH-1H Huey. 25th Infantry Division. Owned by Mike Haus and Chris Miller of Concord, CA.
•    Large-Howard Hughes Trophy:   1929 Ford Tri-Motor. Owned by John Siebold of Williams, AZ. Restored by Valle Airport, AZ.
National Aviation Hall of Fame People’s Choice Award: the 1965 Bell Helicopter UH 25th Infantry Division.
“Today in honor of a great American hero, we proudly unveiled the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage trophy,” said Ken Perich, Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. “We are delighted   to host 23 aircraft for this year’s competition. This ‘flying museum’ is full of aviation history.”
Assisting in the trophy presentations to the winning owners were National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees Dick Rutan, Clarence ‘Bud’ Anderson, Herb Kelleher, R.A. ‘Bob’ Hoover, Clay Lacy and Sean Tucker. , accompanied by National Aviation Heritage Invitational Ambassador, Robert ‘Hoot’ Gibson.
The Heritage is held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races and celebrates aviation treasures. This endeavor is a joint effort under the auspices of Perform Air, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, with support from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, Reno Air Racing Association, Air Transport World, Airmail Greetings, Air and Space Smithsonian Magazine, LiveAirShowTV, The Perich Group and Speed News.
The National Aviation Heritage Invitational encourages preservation of aviation history through the restoration of aircraft to original flying condition. The Invitational was founded in 1998. A five-member panel, including representatives of the National Air and Space Museum, judges each aircraft on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer’s condition is the “gold standard” for each plane.
More information can be found at www.heritagetrophy.org