NAA Announces John and Martha King as Recipient of 2012 Brewer Trophy for Aviation Education

Arlington, Virginia, September 18, 2012 — The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced today that John and Martha King will receive the prestigious Frank G. Brewer Trophy for Aviation Education “…for their passion and dedication in making aviation knowledge more accessible to pilots worldwide by combining elegant technology with clear, fun teaching featuring courseware that simplifies complex concepts for students.” The Brewer Trophy is presented annually for significant contributions of enduring value to aerospace education in the United States.

Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association and Chairman of the Selection Committee, said “We’re very proud of accomplishments of Martha and John King and all they have done to support aviation and aerospace education in the United States. They are truly some of the great ambassadors of the excitement and opportunity which exists in our industry.”
Pilots throughout the world regard John and Martha as their personal aviation mentors. Nearly every pilot has taken a King course and at one time almost half of each year’s crop of new private and instrument pilots in the United States used King Schools’ educational materials.

John began his aviation career as a child; his dad had an airplane and took John for rides. So began his love of aviation. He soloed in 1960. Then John met Martha at Indiana University in the 60s, they married and had a business franchise dealing with truck fleets. In 1969, they sold the business and decided to get their pilot’s licenses. They moved to California and launched their flying business out of a spare bedroom in their house. Today King Schools operates out of a dedicated complex in San Diego that includes a television and software production facility.

The Kings currently have their own Dassault Falcon 10, swapping captain and copilot duties on each leg when they fly. They have flown as pilots in every continent of the world except Antarctica, including a trip completely around the world via the length of Russia.

John and Martha are the first couple to each hold every category and class of FAA rating on their pilot and instructor certificates. Martha is the first and only woman to achieve this complete ratings sweep. In 2001, Martha was appointed by President Clinton to the First Flight Centennial Advisory Board and received NAA’s Henderson Trophy in 2005.

Both have received many aviation honors and accolades, including Pro Pilot’s Aviation Educator’s of the Year, 100 distinguished Aviation Heroes, and 100 Most Influential Women In Aviation (Martha).
Members of the Brewer Trophy Selection Committee were: Frank G. Brewer III, President, Brewer Trophy Aviation Education Association; Rob Brewer; Shelly Simi, Jeppesen; and former Brewer Trophy recipients, Dr. Tom Connolly (1995), Debbie Gallaway (2004) and Dr. Peggy Chabrian (2009). Jonathan Gaffney served as the Committee Chairman.

The award will be presented at the NAA Fall Awards Banquet on Tuesday, November 13 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

###

About The National Aeronautic Association

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit, membership organization devoted to fostering America’s aerospace leadership and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States.