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"I am very pleased to receive this award in joining outstanding past recipients," Poberezny said. "I accept it with great pride."

The award was presented by 2000 recipient, Astronaut Mark Lee. WAHF inductees James Lovell and Daniel Brandenstein received the same award in 1998 and 2001, respectively.

WAHF members are familiar with her work through our quarterly membership magazine, Forward in Aviation. Rose is a contributing editor for Midwest Flyer magazine, Aero News Network and writes articles for the Middleton Times Tribune and Midwest Aviation & Business Journal. She also edited the recently published WAHF book, Blue Sky Moments.

The award presentation was made during the 2006 Wisconsin Aviation Conference held in Green Bay. WAHF participated in the conference as an exhibitor.

Congratulations Rose!

Authors of the bill included Senators Mark Miller and Jon Erpenbach along with Representatives Gary Hebl, Terese Berceau, and Brett Davis. Miller is a retired Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot. Hebl is an active general aviation pilot. 

The bill was referred to the senate Transportation and Natural Resources Committee which heard testimony on Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Four members of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame attended the hearing. WAHF President Rose Dorcey and member Tom Thomas provided testimony in favor of Senate Bill SB 306.

The Assembly's Transportation Committee took testimony on March 23. Again WAHF was represented by Rose Dorcey and Tom Thomas. Finally, a major push to the Assembly was made by numerous WAHF members as they called for the bill to be voted on prior to recess. The bill passed the Assembly on Thursday, May 4, 2006.

Governor Jim Doyle signed SB306 into law on Friday, May 19, 2006. Thanks to everyone that supported and worked on this bill. It is a fitting tribute to an outstanding individual and aviator.

Governor Jim Doyle signs SB306 into law.
(photo courtesy of Wisconsin state senate)

In addition to his flying duties at Wausau Flying Service, John serves as an Accident Prevention Counselor for the FAA's Milwaukee FSDO.

Congratulations, John!

WAHF members active in Young Eagles
The Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA's) Young Eagles Program provided the 2005 update to its 12-year effort in a recent edition of Sport Aviation. Listed were pilots that provided at least 10 rides during 2005. The list for 2005 includes 12 WAHF members.

A detailed review of EAA records indicates that even more WAHF members have been involved in the program over the years. As of April 2006, 67 WAHF members have flown 5,188 Young Eagle missions. To date, more than 1.2 million young people have received an airplane ride through the program.

WAHF members who have flown Young Eagles missions include: Diane Ballweg, 132; William Bancroft 7; George Bindl, 21; John Chmiel, 184; Tom Chudy, 115; Sydney Cohen, 664; Jack Culley, 9; Mike Demulling, 5; Gary Dikkers, 3;  John Dorcey, 60; Charles Elson, 5; Robert Eskuche, 13;  Duane Esse, 40; Risch Fischler, 1; Dennis Gaulden, 3; Bob Gillette, 180; David Hedgecock, 1; Jim Hein, 38; Glenn Ingram, 35; Bud Jensen, 1; Len Knitter, 25; Sharon Krog, 17, Steve Krog, 152; Bob Kunkel, 55; Bryan Kust, 6; Bernie Laird, 6; Daryl Lenz, 40; Dean London, 66; Dale Machalleck, 13; Mike McArdle, 35; Tom McKenna, 219; Steven McNicoll, 5; William Menzel, 30; Richard Merkley, 7; Rich Morey, 49; Sharon Morey, 3; Don Mosher, 72; Richard Murray, 2; Joe Norris, 18; LJ Obiala, 26; Dan Pawlak, 113; Paul Poberezny, 40; Tom Poberezny, 116; Chuck Pollard, 64; Howard Rand, 3; Quentin Rench, 7; Bill Rewey, 432; Ed Riddick, 155; Donald Ripp, 128; Robert Sather, 14; Jeffery Scherer, 2;  Ron Scott, 3; Jim Sonnleitner, 118; John Stack, 10; Charles Stephenson, 7; Jeffery Taylor, 3; Tomas Thomas, 213; Doug Thomas, 1; Don Voland, 2; Gunter Voltz, 5; Bill Wambach, 552; Robert Ward, 229; David Weiman, 10; Al Whitaker, 37; Ken Whyte, 293; Don Winkler, 30; Robert Wylie, 54.

On behalf of those 5,188 young people that have now experienced the joy and thrill of flight, WAHF is proud to say a sincere “Thank you”.

Knutson has served as a judge at both EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the “Sentimental Journey” Piper aircraft gathering at Lock Haven, Pa. He has also been a longtime advocate of welcoming youth into aviation and offering flights to young people.

Dick is the tenth person to be inducted into the Vintage Aircraft Hall of Fame which was established in 1993. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002.