The Brooksville Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1298 honored 14 local aviators at an appreciation luncheon on January 10, celebrating recipients of the FAA’s prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. The award recognizes pilots who have achieved 50 or more years of safe, accident-free flying.
Chapter President Telly Kassimis praised the group’s extraordinary achievement, saying, “I believe our chapter has the distinction of having the most Master Pilots of any EAA chapter in the United States. Collectively, our pilots have more than 700 years of flying time without an accident. That is a remarkable accomplishment.” Each honoree brings a unique and inspiring aviation story, with Ed Hoffman and Mike Moch having grown up in Air Force families and been involved with airports from an early age.
Several of the honored pilots have made lasting contributions to the airport’s World War II memorial. The project was led by Don Etchison, who guided its vision and development. Ed Hoffman donated extensive architectural work for the memorial, helping bring the design to life. Bob Berryhill and Merel Wagner painstakingly restored a World War II bomb discovered near Spring Hill Drive at the airport last year.
Their meticulous restoration work preserved an important piece of history that is now on permanent display at the memorial. The Federal Aviation Administration established the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as “Master Pilots.” The Experimental Aircraft Association continues to promote aviation safety and education through local chapters like Brooksville’s Chapter 1298.
Originally reported by Suncoast News – Brooksville and Suncoast News – Spring Hill
Sources: Suncoast News – Brooksville, Suncoast News – Spring Hill
