2008 Annual Hall of Fame and Stars of Aviation Awards Banquet Join us to honor individuals and companies who have made a difference in the aviation industry in the Northwest.

Banquet Entertainment! Joe Vespaziani Comedy Routine Joe Vespaziani began his comedy career in 1987 and has been a busy and consistent performer ever since .He won the 1998 Seattle International Stand-Up Comedy Competition, has appeared on the television show Almost Live, and opening for “Weird Al” Yankovic on his Touring With Scissors tour. Joe performs all over the United States and Canada. Click here to watch a clip of Joe's comedy style...   Event menu: Hors D'oeuves - service begins at 5:40 • Dungeness stuffed mushroom caps • Beef en Crouette with Bearnaise Dinner Service beginning at 6:00 • Spring Greens with Sliced Apples, Dried Cranberries and Pecans Tossed in a Raspberry Vinaigrette • Tomato, Cucumber & Dill Salad • Bartlett Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Candied Walnuts & a Dijon Dressing • Penne with fresh basil & Olive Oil sauces: Hearty Italian Bolognese & Traditional Alfredo sauce All served with shredded fresh Parmesan & grated imported Romano. Gourmet Meats Presented at a Chef-attended carving station French Cut Roast Turkey Served with homemade cranberry relish Slow-Roasted Prime Rib With Horseradish Sauce Side Dishes Tillamook Au Gratin Potatoes Fresh Steamed Seasonal Vegetables Assorted fresh baked rolls presented with butter     The WAA operates a non-profit FAA approved Anti-Drug and Alcohol Consortium.  Click Here for Details...		Celebrate “Stars of Aviation" The Washington Aviation Association is honored to award the following Northwest individuals with an Aviation Hall of Fame Award for outstanding personal contribution to the betterment of aviation in the Northwest. The recipients will be formally recognized at the Hall of Fame Banquet, Saturday evening, February 23, 2008 at the Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show in the North Foyer. Tickets are $45.00 and include dinner, entertainment and dessert, Tickets available online or by phone to 866-922-7469.   Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar NASA Astronaut Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar is currently President and CEO of The Museum of Flight in Seattle Washington, the largest private air and space museum in the world. A native of Sunnydale, WA, Bonnie Dunbar is a NASA Mission Specialist astronaut and veteran of 5 space flights, Dr. Dunbar has logged more than 1,208 hours, 50 days, in space. She has served as the Payload Commander on two flights, including the first Space Shuttle docking mission to the Russian Space Station Mir. Bonnie has been a licensed private pilot since the 1970’s and logged more than 1,000 hours as co-pilot of NASA’s T-38 jets. She owns and is restoring a 1946 Ercoupe light plane. John Thun Puyallup Aviator In April 1949, John Thun (1917-2006) bought a rock-strewn airstrip and the surrounding 350 acres of landsouth of Puyallup. Thun lengthened and paved the strip and opened a private airport, staffed mostly by his family. “He bought the airport when he had just learned to fly,” his daughter, Diny Robinson said. “He thought it would also be a good place to raise chickens, but he never got around to it. He got so interested in flying, he just did that. ”By 1957, the Thuns had several buildings and 45 aircraft tied down at any one time, 15 with hanger space. As soon as the children were old enough, they were working at the field or in its coffee shop. Thun gave flying lessons, flew scenic charters around nearby Mount Rainier, and in winter sold Christmas trees off the property. Dave Sclair, a writer for General Aviation News, called Thun “bigger than life,” and Bruce Thun, a son and operations manager at Thun Field agrees. “He was a character, yeah. He took over the airport and made it work. He wasn’t afraid to take risks.”For the kids, said Bruce Thun, “It was an interesting way to grow up.” All of the children learned to fly but only Bruce remained in the business. WSDOT Award: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recognizes Allyn Roe, Chehalis-Centralia Airport, as the “2007 Airport Manager of the Year.”   Roe’s efforts in providing emergency aviation resources during the recent devastating flooding in Lewis County further highlights the importance of airports to the state’s transportation system. FAA Awards: The Northwest Mountain Region will be presenting: Eric Christenson with the Aviation Maintenance Technician award. Also honored will be Flight Instructor of the Year - Darrell Dilley, of La Salle, Colorado and FAASTeam Representative of the Year - Clifford Chetwin, from Littleton, Colorado. The Seattle FSDO will be presenting: Certified Aviation Maintenance Technician award to Al McGregor. Special recognition goes to Arnold Ebneter. He will not only receive the Flight Instructor of the Year award but also the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. The Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award recipients must have 50 years in aviation maintenance. The Wright Brothers Master Pilot award recognizes the efforts of pilots who have followed awareness of safe operations. Most of all, FAA recognizes pilots who have contributed and maintained safe flight operations for 50 or more consecutive years of piloting aircraft. The awards will be presented at the 2008 Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show following close of show on Saturday, 6:00 pm, in the North Foyer. Entertainment, dinner, dessert and no-host bar. Tickets are $45.00/person, available in advance by calling Rachel at 360-427-5599 or online by completing the form below!
			Names of guests: Seating Preference?