John and Martha King have had a busy week at Sun 'n Fun 2024, pulled this way and that as they bounced from one interview, award, or speaking engagement to the next.
Among that roster of interviews, John & Martha's appearance on the SNF Morning Brief - hosted by Aero-News Editor in Chief Jim Campbell - was surely a high point. But along the way, the Kings managed to get a whole lot done. First off, Martha awarded the Women in Aviation International Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors to Jamie Klaes, an Alaskan pilot who's quickly becoming a pillar of the rural flying community there. Her work has been a heartening addition to the Alaskan flying landscape, incubating new aviators left and right as she looks to fill seats for years to come.
In the weeks leading up to the show, the Kings were presented with the first AOPA Richard G. McSpadden General Aviation Safety Award, commemorating both their role in aviation safety and the late Richard McSpadden too. The award, named for the longtime AOPA president and aviation safety contributor, tragically passed before his time in a C-177 crash last October. That award seeks to recognize the cream of the crop across the industry, amplifying those voices that do the most to raise standards of safety and professionalism across the country.
"I want to say how very honored we are to receive this, the very first Richard G. McSpadden Air Safety Institute General Aviation Safety Award. We knew Richard, we really liked him, and we especially appreciated the contributions he made. His videos analyzing accidents, and his thoughtful discussions, brought great insight to the community and a great improvement, we think, to the general aviation safety record. He helped change the vocabulary of the whole community about risk management and helped put a renewed emphasis and focus on safety that will carry on to the future and do great things. And so, we're very, very pleased and privileged to accept this very first inaugural award. It will encourage us and inspire us even more to carry on our own risk management efforts."
FMI: www.kingschools.com
