The 22nd Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. This prestigious evening celebrates individuals who have made remarkable contributions to aviation and aerospace. John Travolta, the “Official Ambassador of Aviation,” will return as host for the evening. He will be joined by members of the Living Legends of Aviation in welcoming three new inductees to this distinguished group. The 2025 inductees include Christopher Cassidy, a retired NASA astronaut and Navy SEAL who completed three spaceflights and ten spacewalks, accumulating 377 days in space. Also being inducted is Robert “Hoot” Gibson, a decorated Navy fighter pilot, veteran NASA astronaut, and acclaimed air race pilot. The third inductee, Tom Costello, is an Emmy Award-winning NBC News correspondent and the network’s lead Aviation & Space Correspondent.
This year’s ceremony will feature a poignant tribute to the aerial firefighting crews who played a heroic role during the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires in January 2025. Living Legends Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and Morgan Freeman will join others in recognizing these courageous men and women who carried out hundreds of high-risk missions in extreme conditions to protect lives and property.
The inaugural Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award will be presented to the Polaris Dawn Crew. Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott “Kid” Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon are being recognized for their groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission, which included high-altitude orbital maneuvers, scientific experiments, and the first-ever private spacewalk.
Kaye Gitibin, co-founder and CEO of Go Rentals, will receive the Aviation Entrepreneur Award. Under his leadership, Go Rentals has become the only vehicle rental company in the world specializing in private aviation and the only one to receive NATA Safety First certification. The Lifetime Aviation Industry Leader Award will be presented to Ronald Draper, CEO of Textron Aviation. Draper has overseen the growth and innovation of iconic brands including Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker. A West Point graduate and former UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, Draper brings decades of experience in aviation manufacturing and community service. Burt Rutan, the visionary aerospace engineer and entrepreneur, will receive the Dr. Sam B. Williams Technology Award. Rutan is best known for designing the Voyager aircraft, which completed the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world in 1986, as well as SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded, manned spacecraft to reach space. Sir Peter Beck, founder, CEO, and Chief Engineer of Rocket Lab, will be honored with the Eren Ozmen Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Since founding Rocket Lab in 2006, Sir Peter has built the company into a leading space systems provider with over 2,500 employees across the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. LCDR Amanda “Stalin” Lee will receive the Barron Hilton Aviation Inspiration Award for her groundbreaking achievement as the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels. Her accomplishments have inspired countless others, and her military decorations include four Navy Achievement Medals along with several unit and personal awards. Louis Pepper will be honored with the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award, presented by Kenn Ricci. As the former CEO of Atlantic Aviation, Pepper was instrumental in building one of the nation’s largest general aviation service providers and redefining the modern FBO. He continues to serve on Atlantic’s board and as a senior advisor.
In a moving tribute, the event will also honor four members of the Living Legends of Aviation who have “Flown West” since the last gathering. This year’s tribute will remember Richard “Dick” Rutan, Roy Morgan, Brigadier General Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, and Major General William “Bill” Anders. For more information and event details, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/legends-of-aviation
