Lake Oswego, OR
- The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has announced the ten aviation charities
as chosen through online voting to share grants totaling $60,000.
The ten Pilot's Choice Award recipients in ascending order of number of votes
received for 2013 are:
#10 Air Race Classic- Air Race Classic encourages and educates current and future women pilots. The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation grant will be applied to collegiate outreach.
#9 JAARS- JAARS provides aviation support, transportation and information services to speed the task of Bible translation around the world. The Pilot's Choice award resources will help fund new aviation projects in Tanzania or Southeast Asia.
#8 Missionary Flights International- Missionary Flights International meets the air support needs of missionary families in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation grant will help fund a turbine DC-3 to assist the organization's mission efforts in Haiti.
#7 Angel Flight West- Angel Flight West is a volunteer-driven organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other compelling needs. Pilot's Choice award funds will enable necessary modifications in the Angel Flight IT system.
#6 Mission Aviation Fellowship- Mission
Aviation Fellowship uses aviation, technology and faith to meet the physical
and spiritual needs of isolated people in dozens of countries. The Lightspeed
Aviation Foundation grant will be used to operate ongoing programs, launch new
initiatives, and expand services.
#5 Recreational Aviation Foundation- The Recreational Aviation Foundation is keeping recreational aviation strong by preserving and maintaining backcountry and recreational airstrips throughout the U.S. RAF will use the Pilot's Choice award funds to further its mission.
#4 The Ninety-Nines- The 99s promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support. The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation grant will be used for increased outreach and a new scholarship award.
#3 Civil Air Patrol- Civil Air Patrol is an organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide. The 2013 Pilot's Choice award resources will help fund the K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education program.
#2 New Tribes Mission- New Tribes Mission equips and coordinates pilots and technicians to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective missionary aviation support in remote areas. The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation grant will go toward the cost of overhauling a Robinson R-44 helicopter.
#1 Pilots N Paws- Pilots N Paws provides a forum for pilots and plane owners to share the gift of flight to assist with the transportation of rescue, shelter or foster animals. The Pilot's Choice grant will go toward increasing awareness of the organization in the aviation community.
Since its inception, the Pilot's Choice voting and awards have introduced us all to dozens of worthy charities and amazing people that are making a significant impact around the world. says Allan Schrader, President of Lightspeed Aviation. With twice as many votes as last year, the awards are having a meaningful impact on expanding awareness and appreciation for aviation.
Nominations and grant applications for the 2014 Pilot's Choice Awards are available at www.lightspeedaviationfoundation.org. Aviation non-profits committed to growing the pilot community and using their gifts for compassion and service to others are eligible to apply.