23RD ANNUAL INDUCTEES & HONOREES
The Legends are pleased to announce the 23rd Annual Inductees and Honorees for the Living Legends of Aviation® Awards. Each of these extraordinary individuals embodies the pioneering spirit, innovation, andexcellence that define aviation and aerospace. From trailblazing astronauts and aviation leaders to the pinnacle of military flying, these remarkable men and women have made profound contributions to the world of flight. We are honored to recognize their achievements and invite you to celebrate their stories of dedication and excellence as we prepare for the Living Legends ofAviation® Awards. John Travolta is our Host and the Official Ambassador of Aviation.
INDUCTEES
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®
From earning his private pilot certificate at 17 to launching Sunset Aviation and later Solairus, Dan turned a lifelong love of flying into one of the world’s leading managed business jet fleets, now operating more than 350 aircraft with over 2,000 aviation professionals.
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®
Under Doug’s leadership, Epic certified and launched the E1000, E1000 GX, and E1000 AX, setting new benchmarks in speed, materials, and automation for single-engine turboprops. A hands-on pilot and entrepreneur, he has flown test flights, built aircraft, and even led a fleet of Epics around the world.
Aaron Tippin
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®
Through Tennessee Flying Machines, Aaron and his family operate a flight school, vintage aircraft rides, maintenance, and restoration at KSRB in Sparta, Tennessee, sharing the joy of flight with countless enthusiasts and future pilots.
Mark Burns
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®
Over a 40-year career with Gulfstream, Mark has led the introduction of the company’s next-generation fleet and expanded manufacturing and support facilities, ensuring Gulfstream’s commitment to innovation, safety, and lifetime service for every aircraft.
Eileen M. Collins
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®
A retired U.S. Air Force colonel and NASA astronaut, Eileen made history as the first female space shuttle pilot and commander, flying four shuttle missions, including the 1999 Chandra X-Ray Observatory deployment and the 2005 “Return to Flight” mission.
Lee Lauderback
Inductee into the Living Legends of Aviation®
Lee began his corporate aviation career flying for the late professional golfer and businessman, Arnold Palmer. Lee became CEO/President of Stallion 51 Corporation and Unusual Attitude Training and has amassed in excess of 22,750 hours in various types of aircraft including over 10,000 in the P-51 Mustang.
HONOREES
Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award
Xyla Foxlin
Barron Hilton Aviation Inspiration Award
A mechatronics engineer, pilot, and creator, Xyla has inspired millions by combining storytelling, high-power rocketry, aircraft building, and advocacy for pilot mental health. Her work has advanced STEM education, influenced aviation policy, and brought a new generation into aviation and aerospace.
Steuart Walton
Eren Ozmen Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Steuart is co-founder and chairman of Game Aerospace, LLC, which designs and manufactures high-performance composite aircraft. He has worked to expand aviation culture in Northwest Arkansas and beyond, helping create Thaden Field at Bentonville Municipal Airport and developing the FlyOz backcountry airstrip network across the Ozarks.
Philipp Steinbach
Eren Ozmen Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Philipp founded his first company at age twenty-four, Impulse Aircraft. His competitive record includes a silver medal at the 2011 World Aerobatic Championships and four German National Champion titles in the Unlimited category. In 2013 he co-founded Game Composites, now Game Aerospace, and designed the GB1 GameBird.
Patrick Waddick
Dr. Sam B. Williams Technology Award
Patrick Waddick is President of Innovation and Operations at Cirrus Aircraft, a recognized leader in general aviation. From his early days as Cirrus’ first engineering intern to leading development of the Vision Jet SF50 and its next-generation enhancements, Patrick has spent his career advancing safety, innovation, and performance in general aviation.
George A. Antoniadis
Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award
Since launching PlaneSense® in 1995, George has built a fractional program of more than 60 Pilatus PC-12s and PC-24s, flying over 44,000 flights per year across North America and the Caribbean, while setting the standard for highly personal, cost-effective private aviation.
Tony Lefebvre
Lifetime Aviation Industry Leader Award
With more than 25 years in aviation — from key leadership roles at Spirit Airlines and American Airlines to CEO of Signature Aviation, leading their global network of over 200 locations — Tony has helped shape the modern landscape of aviation services and hospitality.
Elon Musk
Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award
Elon Musk is the founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX, where he has led a revolution in launch and spaceflight technology with the explicit goal of making life multiplanetary.
We are inspired by the extraordinary accomplishments of this year’s inductees and honorees. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals as we continue to honor the past, present, and future of aviation and aerospace.