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Photography By Tommy Stafford
Nelson County Life Magazine ©2008
Stoney Creek Bar & Grill
Nellysford, Virginia
George McKinney shows off his Wright Brothers Award just presented by George Ream (in the background) of the Richmond Office of The Federal Aviation Administration, for his 58 consecutive years of flying without a break or major incident.
About 20 folks gathered recently to honor George McKinney of Nellysford as The FAA from Richmond presented him with The Wright Brothers Award. The award is given to pilots with at least 50 years of continuous flying without a break or a major incident. “I started in 1950 at New Haven, CT while I was a sophomore in college,” says George.
Fellow pilot and friend, Joe Steele tells the crowd about George’s ability as a pilot and how deserving he his of the award.
I was proud along with other fellow pilots, Chuck Brown, Ed Dinwiddie, and Joe Steele to nominate George for the award. After starting his initial flight training, George eventually became a military pilot in the Air Force flying large bombers like the B-25 first and then B-47’s.
George McKinney in an archive photo during his days in the United States Air Force.
George Ream of The FAA presents George with his award last Thursday at Stoney Creek Bar & Grill.
George, airborne behind the controls of his Beech Bonanza A-36 airplane that he co-owns with Joe Steele.
Congrats to George on 58 years of flying!
NCL
