Avionics News December 2016 - 10

Dave Higdon receives
Gold Wing Journalism Award
Veteran Avionics News contributor honored at NBAA Convention
A longtime aviation journalist, Dave Higdon, whose
work is published each month here in the pages of
Avionics News, was the recipient of the National
Business Aviation Association's Gold Wing Award for
insightful reporting about business aviation. Higdon was
honored Nov. 1 at the No Plane No Gain Media KickOff Breakfast at the NBAA Convention & Exhibition in
Orlando, Florida.
According to the NBAA, the Gold Wing Award
recognizes journalism's important role in reporting the
significant contributions of business aviation - the use
of a general aviation aircraft for business purposes -
to the national economy, as well as the many ways in
which the industry supports citizens, companies and
communities across the United States.
Higdon was specifically honored for his ongoing
series of articles published in AvBuyer Magazine that
focused on international operations for business aviation.
The series began in March 2016.
"In pointing to various challenges in aviation
operations outside the U.S., the series makes clear
that America's system of airspace management is the
world's finest," said NBAA Chairman Paul Anderson in
presenting the Gold Wing Award. "At a time when some
people in Washington are promoting the notion that the
United States should manage its aviation system the way
other countries or regions do, it's important, but rare, to

Gold Wing Journalism Award recipient Dave Higdon (center) is
congratulated by Avionics News Editor Geoff Hill (left), and AEA
President and Avionics News Publisher Paula Derks.

have coverage highlighting how safe, yet flexible and
accessible America's aviation system truly is."
Higdon has covered the aviation industry for more
than 30 years. In addition to Avionics News and AvBuyer
Magazine, his contributions appear in World Aircraft
Sales Magazine and several others. He previously served
as an aviation reporter with The Wichita Eagle and was
an aviation editor with Knight-Ridder newspapers. He
also appears regularly on the "Uncontrolled Airspace"
podcast that discusses all topics of interest to general
aviation. q

In Memory: Jerry Tipton Knight
Jerry Knight, a sales and marketing executive with Ahlers Aerospace, passed away Oct. 23 at the age of 83. He
was a longtime industry veteran and worked with many AEA member companies throughout his career.
The oldest of three children, Knight was born in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 6, 1933. He was a member of the Reserve
Officers Training Corps and completed four years in the Naval Reserves.
A private pilot, he also earned his instrument and twin-engine rating. He is survived by his two daughters, Susan
Barrett and Amy Sargent, and several grandchildren. A celebration of life took place Oct. 29, and he was laid to rest at
the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. q

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2016