The Lone Star Flight Museum’s latest Blue Skies Gala recently raised more than $700,000 to foster STEM education programs and preserve aviation history. In its third year, the event held recently in Houston drew more than 500 attendees. Houston-based Universal Weather and Aviation was honored with the 2019 Blue Skies Company of Distinction recognition. Themed Moonstruck, the event also recognized the 50th anniversary year of the lunar landing and paid tribute to the late President George H.W. Bush, a member of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and a former supporter of the Lone Star Flight Museum.

“Promoting the value of STEM education is of paramount importance to the aviation community as there is an urgent need to fill the demand for future aviation professionals, which is why I actively look for opportunities to lend my hand in this area,” said co-chair and Par Avion president and founder Janine Iannarelli. “I’m thrilled to have worked with co-chairs Bette and Ralph Thomas [a Lone Star Flight Museum board member] and noted Houston philanthropist and honorary chair Margaret Alkek Williams to bring to life the vision of Moonstruck.”

The event drew support from industry businesses including Avsurance, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon Jet, Global Aviation Navigator, Gulfstream Aerospace, Jet Support Services Inc., and VistaJet.