Release #: 16.37
August 25, 2016
ALPA Celebrates Airline Pilot Excellence at 62nd Air Safety Forum
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) recognized the outstanding achievements of 10 distinguished pilots during its 62nd Air Safety Forum. The presentation of ALPA’s prestigious awards and citations were featured during the four-day event.
In addition to honoring outstanding contributions by pilots in aviation safety and security, ALPA’s forum featured panels of subject-matter experts who led thorough and compelling discussions regarding long-standing and emerging issues in key safety-related areas.
“ALPA’s Air Safety Forum is a unique event for aviation safety and security experts to engage on key issues that affect the future of our industry,” said ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll. “It also presents the chance to honor the contributions of several outstanding pilots whose accomplishments continue to uphold the highest standards our profession has to offer.”
ALPA presented its highest safety honor, the Air Safety Award, to Delta Air Lines First Officer John R. Klinger, whose work on aviation safety issues has been instrumental in setting a benchmark for voluntary reporting programs across the industry.
Capt. Terry VanHoose and First Officer Mark Moser accepted this year’s Superior Airmanship Awards for their extraordinary effort in performing an emergency landing of ExpressJet Flight 4291 after an unprecedented malfunction of airspeed instruments during inclement weather conditions.
The Association also recognized FedEx Express Capt. Richard B. Odbert with its Aviation Security Award for his significant accomplishments in increasing cockpit security for crewmembers.
This year’s Pilot Assistance Award was presented to United Airlines Capt. R. Sean McKeown for his extraordinary service in leading pilot health and wellness programs.
ALPA awarded Presidential Citations to United Airlines Capt. Kent Holiday and First Officer Steve Demko, Sun Country Airlines Capt. Eric Herman, and Hawaiian Airlines Capt. Charles Perkins for their commitment to enhancing aviation safety and security.
ALPA presented the Outstanding Airport Safety Liaison to United Airlines Capt. Julio Zamarripa for his efforts to advance the highest standards of aviation safety at Long Beach Airport (LGB) and across the Southern California region.
Concluding the awards, ALPA named Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX) Airport of the Year for its continued collaboration in partnering with pilots on important safety and construction issues.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 54,000 pilots at 31 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org