2022 AirVenture Recap - Volunteer Awards
By Jordan Ashley
During AirVenture this year, the IAC celebrated our volunteers… “the Lift beneath our Wings.” Five new awards were developed to thank the IAC volunteers at Oshkosh for their many hours of dedication to the IAC. (Pictured right, Todd Ashcraft, Michael Church and Jordan Ashley)
AirVenture, like contests, would not exist without a team of volunteers, forum presenters, and airplanes. Volunteering isn’t about the individual. Volunteering is our way to give back to an organization and the things we care about yearly. So, my desire was to create a series of awards that could be given to AirVenture volunteers by other AirVenture volunteers that, in some small way, would allow the organization to give back to its volunteers.
AirVenture Longevity Award - Jean Taylor
The AirVenture Longevity Award was created to recognize an individual whose contributions to AirVenture have spanned not just years but decades and whose work at AirVenture has permanently impacted the IAC's presence at AirVenture for the future. (Jean pictured with daughter Heidi.)
Literally and figuratively, the IAC would not be where it is on the AirVenture grounds, nor would we have the space we do for parking airplanes without Jean Taylor. Jean spent more than 30 years volunteering with the IAC at AirVenture, and during that time, they were a constant presence that shared their knowledge and wisdom with those who came by our building, always willing to share the benefits of aerobatics and how flying upside down will make someone a better pilot. Without Jean and her husband Jim, whom we've lost, I know that I would not be a part of the IAC nor be in IAC leadership today.
AirVenture Chairman's Award - Michael Church
The AirVenture Chairman's Award was created to allow the AirVenture Convention Chairman to recognize an individual for their work at AirVenture and as a way for the Chair to publicly say thank you to them for a job well done.
This year's Chairman's award goes to Michael Church for his work for nearly a decade on our AirVenture Forums. Michael's work in the background and for months ahead of the show may often go unnoticed by those who do not work with him directly as he provides a seamless experience from start to finish for those the presenters he works with. However, without his work, we would not have the draw to our building and interest in the IAC through our forums that we have had this week or in years past.
The AirVenture Service Award was created to recognize a volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the IAC and AirVenture.
This years' Service Award goes to Todd Ashcraft for his work on making those that fly into AirVenture and join the IAC in show plane parking for the week feel welcome. Todd did this by organizing a fantastic display of aircraft and creating a welcome kit for pilots containing items that they may need for the week and multiple items that will only be available to those flying into AirVenture this year. His work has generated excitement and a desire for people to return with their airplanes in future years.
AirVenture Forums Award - Patty Wagstaff - "Competition vs Airshow Flying"
The AirVenture Forums Award, chosen by the AirVenture Forums Chairman, was created to recognize a forum presenter that most contributes to the mission of the IAC with their presentation.
This year's Forums Award goes to Patty Wagstaff and her Competition vs Airshow Flying Presentation. This forum stood out not only because of the number of people it drew but also because Patty went above and beyond the call of duty after the forum to take time out of her busy schedule to answer question after question and be an ambassador for the IAC and our sport. Then after spending time with the public, she took time to meet privately with a group of aspiring students to further generate excitement for the next generation of aerobatic pilots.
AirVenture Showplane Award - Justin Miller and his S-1-11B Toxic Stinker
The AirVenture Showplane Award, chosen by the AirVenture Parking Chairman, was created to recognize an outstanding airplane or pilot that flew their airplane into AirVenture.
This year's Showplane Award goes to Justin Miller and Family for their work on their Pitts S-1-11B "Toxic Stinker." Not only is it the only high-performance biplane at the show this year, but it was built by Justin, his dad, and Justin's daughter with the goal of raising money for St. Just Children's Hospital.
Pictured here with the EAA's Bronze Lindy award and his daughter.
AirVenture Rising Star Award - Nina Stewart
Young people are the core of building a foundation of growth for the sustained future of the organization. The AirVenture Rising Star Award was created to recognize a student volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the IAC at AirVenture.
This year's Rising Star Award goes to Nina Stewart of the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Nina planned and organized the trip to bring the MSU team to volunteer with the IAC for the week here at AirVenture. She was the driving force behind the successful Collegiate Collaborative forum and led the charge in conducting interviews with AirVenture attendees to generate excitement for the sport and our organization. In addition, she did anything else asked of her this week by any and all members of AirVenture Leadership with excellence and a smile. She is driven and passionate about our sport, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her.
