The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced the four recipients of this year’s Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman of Aviation Awards. One of the recipients is the museum’s own Lenny Potts. Lenny serves as the president of the National Skydiving Museum Board of Trustees. Other recipients include General Jack Dailey, The Honorable James Coyne, and John Cashman, all who will be honored at the NAA Fall Awards Banquet on Monday, November 7 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

From his first parachute jump in 1952 to his current service on the National Skydiving Museum’s Board of Trustees, Leon “Lenny” Potts has dedicated himself to the skydiving and aviation communities for more than 50 years and continues to make a lasting impact today. He was instrumental in promoting the sport of parachuting by forming local clubs and associations, always stressing safety. He served with the U.S. Parachute Teams as team pilot when they competed in the World Parachuting Championships in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Great Britain. He has served on the NAA Sport Aviation Council. He has been awarded the U.S. Parachute Association’s highest honor – the Lifetime Achievement Award and just this past September was inducted into the National Skydiving Museum’s Hall of Fame.

Jonathan Gaffney, chairman of the Selection Committee and president of NAA said of this prestigious award, “As the Elder Statesman Award is synonymous with lifetime achievement, these four individuals together have contributed immensely to the advancement of our industry, the defense of our nation, and the fabric of sport aviation in the United States. It is such a great honor to put their names on this most cherished award.”

The Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman of Aviation Award was established in 1954 to honor outstanding Americans, who, by their efforts over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves. Previous winners have included Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Olive Ann Beech, Scott Crossfield, Carol Hallett, and Chuck Yeager.

The second National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame dinner left guests in awe. In addition to the six skydiving legends being inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2011, many of last year’s inductees were also on hand to congratulate their new classmates.

The location, the Historic Terminal A at Reagan Washington National Airport , provided a perfect backdrop for the evening’s festivities. Outside, guests could watch jets coming and going over D.C.’s beautiful skyline. Inside, beautiful floral centerpieces and pink dessert boxes filled with the famous “Georgetown Cupcakes” dressed the tables. The guests were treated to a delicious chicken saltimbocca dinner and the good company of fellow skydivers and friends.

The induction ceremony included a “through the years” slide show for each honoree and then they were presented with a plaque and their official blue blazer embroidered with a Hall of Fame patch. The six inductees were Uwe Beckmann (posthumous), Jacques-André Istel (Felicity, CA), Lenny Potts (Port Orange, FL), Steve Snyder (posthumous), Tee Taylor (Tucson, AZ), and Bill Booth (DeLand, FL). Parachute Industry Association (PIA) generously served as the title sponsor for the dinner. Other sponsors were Pope Valley Parachute Ranch (Reception Sponsor), George and Sue Frey (Dinner Sponsor), Cliff Schmucker (AV Equipment Sponsor), Henry Ottley (Inductees’ Blue Blazer Sponsor), Skydive Dallas (Program Book Sponsor), Philip Chiocchio (Inductee Slide Show Sponsor), and Michael (Kearnsey) Kearns (Centerpiece and Dessert Sponsor). There were also several Gold Table Sponsors: Complete Parachute Solutions, Inc., Sun Path Products, and United Parachute Technologies, LLC. & Vigil USA. Lenny Potts was a Silver Table Sponsor.

2011 Hall of Fame Inductees: from left to right, Kurt Gaebel (accepting on behalf of Uwe Beckmann – posthumous), Bill Booth, Tee Taylor, Lenny Potts, and Barbara Snyder Forer (accepting on behalf of Steve Snyder – Posthumous) not pictured: inductee Jacques-André Istel. Photo by Jerry Irwin

The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those, who through leadership, innovation and/ or outstanding achievements have defined, promoted, inspired and advanced skydiving at the highest and sustained levels in the past, present and for future generations of skydivers. The Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a nominating committee comprised of museum trustees, representatives from the United State Parachute Association (USPA) and Parachute Industry Association (PIA) governing bodies, and two members of the Hall of Fame. The committee use specific criteria – including leadership, innovation, promotion of the sport, philanthropy and competition. The selection process discussions include how the nominees had contributed to the sport over their lifetimes. Honorees could be alive or deceased.

The fundraiser will benefit the National Skydiving Museum’s $5 million capital program that will raise the necessary funds to build the museum in Fredericksburg, VA. The museum has already acquired the land which is situated adjacent to the U.S. Parachute Association. When completed, the 15,000 square feet National Skydiving Museum will recognize and promote the sport of skydiving through public education and awareness; recognize the contribution to skydiving by its participants, suppliers and supporters; capture forever the history of the sport through is events, equipment and personalities; and enhance aviation safety as it pertains to skydiving. It is expected the museum will draw visitors from throughout the world to experience the thrill of skydiving through its history of people, equipment and events.

To nominate someone for induction into the Hall of Fame, click here  or contact museum administrator nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org or 540-604-9745.

It has been said that a Will is the ultimate expression of a person’s values. Making a Will is the best way to ensure that your estate is left to your loved ones and to what you loved in life. Please consider showing your commitment to our sport and include the National Skydiving Museum in your Will.

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. . . The National Skydiving Museum is pleased to introduce its Hall of Fame Class of 2011. The deserving honorees are: Lenny Potts (Port Orange, FL), Tee Taylor (Tucson, AZ), Jacques-André Istel (Felicity, CA), Bill Booth (DeLand, FL), Steve Snyder (Philadelphia, PA - posthumous), and Uwe Beckman (Braunschweig, Germany - posthumous). The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those, who through leadership, innovation and/ or outstanding achievements have defined, promoted, inspired and advanced skydiving at the highest and sustained levels in the past, present and for future generations of skydivers.

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 DELAND, FL –The "National Skydiving Museum Weekend Honoring Joe Kittinger," held at Skydive DeLand, Florida, the weekend of August 13th raised more than $110,000 toward the building of the museum. The event attracted more than 300 participants, sponsors, and spectators who enjoyed a phenomenal weekend of skydiving exhibitions and activities. A highlight of the weekend was special guest, Floridian Colonel Joe Kittinger (Altamonte Springs, FL), who was honored as he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his jump from space. The weekend culminated with the introduction of the inaugural “Class of 2010” into the National Skydiving Museum’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony recognized eleven individuals who have made a permanent mark in skydiving history.

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Enjoy these pictures of the great weekend in DeLand, Florida!

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BJ Worth has provided the dive designs for the 50-way jumps in celebration of the 50th anniversary Kittinger celebration.

Drawings by Rags Raghanti.

A mid-summer skydiving celebration honoring the "first man in space" is the centerpiece for one of the biggest fundraising events yet planned for the National Skydiving Museum. Fifty years ago, Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger exited at 102,800 feet from a helium balloon over New Mexico, reaching a speed of 614 mph during a four-and-a-half minute free fall. The record still stands today, although there have been several attempts to better it.

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The National Skydiving Museum is proud to introduce the inaugural Class of 2010 inductees into its Hall of Fame.

The National Skydiving Museum seeks to secure historical parachute equipment and documents before they disappear. They are our history. Once they are disposed of, they are gone—forever.

You can donate equipment and documents and take a tax deduction.