The 2024 General Aviation Awards recipients have been announced and will be honored on Thursday, July 25, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. An awards ceremony will take place at the FAA Aviation Safety Center on Thursday morning, followed by an introduction on stage at the “Meet the FAA Administrator” forum at 11:30 a.m. at Theater in the Woods. Here are this year’s recipients:
2024 National Certified Flight Instructor of the Year
Adam Magee of Swisher, Iowa, is the 2024 National Flight Instructor of the Year. Adam is an aviation professional who, through the Balloon Training Academy, teaches more than 100 students per year and runs the lighter than air (LTA) webinars. His aviation experience includes flight instruction, checkride prep, and instruction in private and commercial ground school. He has organized annual safety seminars, designed private and commercial training syllabi, and created an online flight instructor refresher course for balloon instructors and the Elite Balloon Instructor program. Adam is an LTA designated pilot examiner (DPE) for the Des Moines FSDO. He holds multiple FAA Basic, Advanced, and Master Wings. Adam is a member of the board of directors, treasurer, and chair of the finance committee of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). He was the General Aviation Awards National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year in 2021.
2024 National Aviation Technician of the Year
Marty King of Elkhart, Indiana, is the 2024 National Aviation Technician of the Year. He overhauled his first engine at age 15 and built his first airplane in high school. He received his A&P/IA mechanic certificate and established a GA service, restoration, and fabric shop, King Aero Inc., in 1991. In 2017, Marty started an A&P intern program with Andrews University, followed by training programs at Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University, and Purdue University. As a FAASTeam representative, Marty stays abreast of new technologies while conducting seminars. In 2023 and 2024, he received the AMT of the Year award for Michigan and Northern Indiana, and the Charles M. Taylor 50-year Master Mechanic Award. Marty is developing a STEM program, STAYIndiana.org, to teach 13- to 18-year-old students how to build an airplane. After completion, students fly the airplane they built and receive high school credit.
2024 FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year
Cary Grant of Cave Creek, Arizona, is the 2024 FAASTeam Representative of the Year. Cary has been an FAA Safety Team representative since 2009, lead representative, WINGSPro, professor, and flight instructor. He co-hosts quarterly CFI open forums and conducts FAASTeam seminars. He is an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and president of the Arizona Aviation Safety Advisory Group. Cary is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and flight instructor in T-37s, C-141 Starlifter transport, and Gulfstream G-IIIs. He worked with NATO’s Operations Research Branch. He has FAA CFI, CFI-I, MEI, AGI, and ATP ratings, plus USAF instructor and examiner positions. After his military career, he completed a civilian career with United Airlines, as a captain flying Boeing and Airbus aircraft. He volunteers with ASAG, Young Eagles, Navajo Airlift, and Sky Kids.
