Local Man Gets Wright Brothers Award
Family members and friends gathered at a hangar at the Monticello Sky Ranch last Saturday morning to witness Clifford A. Padgett of Monticello receiving his Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
The award was presented by Michael Mullaney with the Federal Aviation Administration ((FAA) who drove down from College Park to make the presentation.
The Wright Brothers’ Master Pilot Award is today widely considered the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It specifically recognizes senior aviators who, as safety minded professionals have contributed over 50 years to the piloting of aircraft. Their careful dedication, technical expertise, and outstanding contributions in the field of aviation safety have been invaluable to furthering the mission and goals of the FAA, said Mr. Mullaney.
“The award is, of course, named after brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright—the designers, builders and pilots of the world’s first powered airplane—the famous Wright Flyer which first few at Kitty Hawk, N.C. on December 17, 1903. Presentation of this award is intended to recognize and celebrate the lifetime commitment and accomplishments of both ‘old and bold’ pilots just such as Cliff, who continuously present a positive image of the FAA in respect to aviation safety and a shining example to their fellow airmen everywhere,” Mr. Mullaney continued.
Mr. Mullaney also showed an interesting and informative video on the Wright Brothers, detailing the kind of family they came from and the kind of men that they were.
He then presented Mr. Padgett with a number of awards. The first was a framed certificate of recognition personally signed by Daniel Elwell, acting administrator of the FAA. Mr. Padgett also received a distinctive gold lapel pin signifying 50 years of accident/incident free flight operations.
In addition, a stick pin, similar in design to the gentleman’s lapel pin, was provided to Mrs. Joneen Padgett, in recognition of her faithful support during her husband’s aviation career.
Mr. Mullaney also gave Mr. Padgett an official and complete “Blue Ribbon” adorned copy of his entire airman record as currently maintained by the Airman Records & Certification Branch in Oklahoma City.
Finally, in lasting tribute, his name will be recorded for posterity on the “:Aviation Safety Roll of Honor,” an electronically maintained memorial at FAA Headquarters Building in Washington D.C. Mr. Padgett holds scroll number 160 representing the state of Georgia. Mr. Padgett is the first Monticello resident on the roll of honor.
Mr. Padgett began flying in his late 20s when he was thrilled to win a free introductory flying lesson in a drawing at a local gas station in rural South Georgia, and according to Mr. Padgett, it was love at first flight. He also admits that early opportunities for meaningful flight instruction were sporadic and disjointed in structure due to frequent, prolonged construction contracts with his employer, which was the precursor to Raymond International. But,. Mr. Padgett took flying lessons wherever he went and whenever he could. His first solo occurred on November 2, 1958 in a Aeronca 7AC. However, he had several “first flights”: including another on December 25, 1959 in a Champ 7FC, and another in September of 1962.
In fact, as verified in his Blue Ribbon airman record, Cliff required not one, but two 24-month renewals of his initial Student License before ultimately taking and passing his Private Pilot Checkride in February, 1965.
These days, Mr. Padgett pries himself on being a stickler for air safety, carefully evaluation weather conditions along planned flight paths, and meticulously maintaining the condition of his personal aircraft. He also works hard to maintain the airstrip on Monticello Sky Ranch.
