The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) honored four “remarkable” aerospace innovators and leaders—famed designer Burt Rutan, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin, and BRS Aerospace founder Boris Popov—during its fifth annual R.A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy Awards. Presented virtually on February 3 in a ceremony hosted by airshow announcer Rob Reider, the awards recognize individuals who have exemplified courage, perseverance, and service, AOPA said.
“Bob Hoover radiated a remarkable spirit and overcame many obstacles in his life's journey to become an inspiring and motivating, innovative pilot—not the least of which was surviving (and escaping) a POW camp during World War II,” AOPA president and CEO Mark Baker said. “It's in this spirit for adventure, and for giving back to the aviation community, why this award and this evening exists.”
Rutan received the highest honor, the R.A. “Bob” Hoover Trophy, for his “airmanship, leadership, and passion for aviation.” Rutan has designed 49 aircraft, including the Voyager, which flew around the world in 1986, and SpaceShipOne, which brought the first civilian astronaut to space in 2004.
AOPA presented the inaugural Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Aviation Inspiration Award to its namesake, Charles McGee, who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. AOPA noted that McGee fought two wars simultaneously during World War II, one against fascism in Europe and another against racism in the U.S. “His 138 combat missions are just one part of General McGee’s story,” Baker said. “He has been a trailblazer for generations of aviators. He has enabled thousands of enthusiasts to follow dreams—who might not have had a chance to climb into the cockpit.”
Ruffin, meanwhile, also received the award as an “aviator and hero in the name of General McGee.” An F–16 pilot and commander of the 71st Operations Support Squadron, Ruffin also founded a flight school, helped found a STEM summer camp, and founded the Legacy Flight Academy that works to preserve and grow the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
The General Aviation Safety Award was presented to Popov, who is credited with helping to drive down the general aviation fatal accident rate with his whole-airframe parachute concept. The system is believed to have saved 438 lives to date. Designed after Popov had a hang-gliding incident, the parachute was first approved for ultralights and experimental aircraft and later on certified aircraft. Now, more than 30,000 general aviation aircraft are equipped with BRS parachutes. Cirrus was the first to make the system standard.
The February 3 ceremony honored the 2020 recipients since last year’s event was canceled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
