AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2012 - 18

AOPAACTION

AOPA FOUNDATION

Toss your hat in the ring for the future of general aviation

he AOPA Foundation recently announced it will expand its Hat in the Ring Society to honor achievements in enhancing aviation safety, preserving airports, growing the pilot population, and improving the image of general aviation. What does this new challenge mean? The Hat in the Ring Society will present four awards to those in the industry who have made significant strides in each of those categories, showcasing the contributions of general aviation’s leaders, pioneers, and practitioners. At the same time, the society is challenged with building a network of advocates with the means and enthusiasm to expand the foundation’s mission (www.aopafoundation.org). Mark your calendar: The AOPA Foundation will select the winners and present the awards on October 11 during

the Night for Flight event at AOPA Aviation Summit in Palm Springs, California. So here is a question for you: Do you like a challenge and support the future of general aviation? Then toss your hat in the ring to become a dedicated pilot philanthropist member of the Hat in the Ring Society (www.aopafoundation.org/hat). Chaired by actor and GA advocate Morgan Freeman and co-chaired by author Stuart Woods, aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian, celebrity chef Alton Brown, and actor Dave Coulier, this elite group recognizes members who contribute financial support to the AOPA Foundation of $1,000 or more in a calendar year. The Bronze Hat level recognizes gifts of $2,500, the Silver Hat level recognizes gifts of $5,000, and the Gold Hat Level recognizes $10,000 in a giving year.

From left are actor and pilot Morgan Freeman, honorary chairman; co-chairs aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian, author and pilot Stuart Woods, celebrity chef and pilot Alton Brown, and comedian and pilot Dave Coulier.

What’s in a name?
1918, France: Pilots of the 94th squadron created their unit’s insignia to commemorate the entry of the United States into World War I. They adopted the phrase of tossing one’s “hat in the ring”—a boxing expression to signify one’s willingness to become a challenger—and symbolized it with a red, white, and blue top hat in a ring. The AOPA Foundation’s Hat in the Ring Society is named for the World War I fighter squadron led by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, the legendary ace who flew his famous Spad with the Hat in the Ring symbol painted on the fuselage. The society recognizes its members who “toss their hat in the ring” through contributions to the AOPA FoundaFounda tion in support of GA (www.aopafoundation.org/hat).
AOPA PILOT •

ASI SAFETY SEMINARS
5/1/2012 5/2/2012 5/3/2012 5/7/2012 5/8/2012 5/9/2012 5/10/2012 5/14/2012 5/15/2012 5/16/2012 Richmond, VA Danville, VA Blacksburg, VA Garden City, NY Poughkeepsie, NY Cohoes, NY Brockport, NY Madison, WI Milwaukee, WI Manitowoc, WI

Tentative schedule; visit the website (www.airsafetyinstitute. org/seminars) for information.

18 • MAY

2012

http://www.aopafoundation.org http://www.aopafoundation.org/hat http://www.aopafoundation.org/hat http://www.aopafoundation.org http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/seminars http://www.aopafoundation.org/hat http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/seminars http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/seminars

AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2012