Sean Tucker To MC The 8th Annual 'Living Legends of Aviation'

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Sean Tucker To MC The 8th Annual 'Living Legends of Aviation' By Mike Mitchell

		January 19, 2011 - Considered the most prestigious and important recognition event of aviation, it’s an intimate, memorable, and historic evening of entertainment. The 8th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards, presented by Learjet, will be held on January 21st at the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA. The 8th Annual 'Living Legends of Aviation' will Honor Captain James Lovell, Delford M. Smith, Lynn Tilton, Clay Jones, Congressman Sam Johnson, Frank Robinson, the Doolittle Raiders and others. The ballroom at the Beverly Hilton will accommodate the 70 Legends, their guests, and a small number of other attendees. Sean Tucker, the awards emcee, will be assisted by Kurt Russell, as Tom Hanks recognizes Captain James Lovell, commander of the Apollo 13 mission, and Captain “Sully” Sullenberger will present the “Captain Cool Award.”

Morgan Freeman, the “Voice of Aviation” presents the “Flown West” tribute to the Legends lost. John Travolta, the Ambassador of Aviation, will present the newest Legend inductee, M. Laurent Beaudoin. Harrison Ford will present a special Aviation Legacy Award to Pat Epps. Bob Hoover will present the Freedom of Flight award to fellow aviator, congressman, and true national hero Sam Johnson. Meet Delford M. Smith, the “Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur,” Clay Jones, the “Aviation Industry Leader of the Year,” Lynn Tilton, the “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year,” and other truly remarkable individuals of extraordinary accomplishment. The "Living Legends of Aviation" are 70 admirable people of remarkable accomplishment in aviation including: entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record breakers, astronauts, pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots. The Legends meet yearly to recognize and honor individuals that have made significant contributions in aviation. Living Legends of Aviation is a registered trademark. The Legends event is produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a non-profit qualified organization. Kiddie Hawk introduces kids ages 5 thru 11 to flight with the Kiddie Hawk Trainer. The Kiddie Hawk Trainer allows kids to take their first flight lesson with the sophistication of motion and control of real flight, piloting their airplane, albeit just a few feet off the ground. Kiddie Hawk follows the students as they progress, making scholarships available as Kiddie Hawk pilots enter actual flight training. The Kiddie Hawk program also introduces youngsters to other aviation related careers.

The first woman to be named as “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year” Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of private equity firm Patriarch Partners, LLC (“Patriarch”) and industrialist will be honored as “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year.” Tilton is being recognized for her leadership in the successful turnaround of Patriarch portfolio company MD Helicopters (MDHI).

In addition to her role at Patriarch, Ms. Tilton also serves as Chairman and CEO of MD Helicopters, the company founded by aviation pioneer Howard Hughes. “I am both humbled and honored by this valued recognition in an industry that attracts so many talented leaders and great warriors. Once tempted, it is difficult not to fall in love with aviation and to devote oneself fully to the mission, at hand.”

This year’s expected celebrity/Legend attendees include John Travolta, Captain James Lovell, Laurent Beaudoin, Bob Hoover, “Sully” Sullenberger, Kurt Russell, Clay Lacy, Morgan Freeman, Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Tom Cruise, Joe Clark, Maj. Gen. William Anders, Cliff Robertson.

Lynn Tilton ,Tony Bill, Dr. Forrest Bird, Carroll Shelby, James Raisbeck, Linden Blue, Barron Hilton, Sir Richard Branson, Harrison Ford, Gene Cernan, Julie Clark, Dick Rutan, Pat Epps, Greg Herrick, Dieter F Uchtdorf, Alan Klapmeier, Bruce McCaw, Lorenzo Lamas, Col. Max Moga.

Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter, Tom Poberezny, Mike Melvill, Vern Raburn, Si Robin, Frank Robinson, Sean Tucker, Steven Udvar-Hazy, Emily Howell-Warner, Patty Wagstaff, Kermit Weeks,Treat Williams, Michael Dorn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Selleck. (For more information)

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