Aviation Trail, Inc.
A non-profit corporation in partnership with the
National Park Service
to promote Aviation Heritage
in the Dayton region
Home of the largest
private parachute collection.*
2018 Trailblazer Award
The trail's annual Trailblazer Awards Banquet and Ceremony honors the birthday of Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867) and presents the Trailblazer Award to an individual or organization that has furthered aviation in the greater Miami Valley. Held annually since 1983.
ATI's Board of Trustees has chosen the Champaign Aviation Museum in nearby Urbana, Ohio, as recipient of its 2018 Trailblazer Award.
An Aviation Trail site, the free museum, on the south end of Grimes Field municipal airport in Urbana, displays seven World War II "warbirds" including the B-17 "Champaign Lady" now in a major restoration.
The other aircraft on flying or static display there are a B-25 "Champaign Gal," C-47, Stinson 10A, Fairchild F-24, A-26 Invader and a C-45 Expeditor.
To show support for the Museum, the Trailblazer Award was presented by ATI President Marvin Christian at Champaign's annual gala Saturday, April 21, at the Museum.
"Our ATI Board decided this year to let the award travel to the Champaign event --and perhaps begin a trend in award presentation," Christian said.
Christian added that the award also honors Jerry Shiffer, now deceased--a local business leader, private pilot, and supporter of community causes--and his family who have generously nurtured the Champaign Museum to its present-day status.
The mission of the Champaign Aviation Museum is more far-reaching than "warbird" aircraft restoration, Christian added. It includes education of youth and adults about the World War II-era aircraft, their crew members, and veterans' combat and personal experiences.
The Trailblazer Award was presented at the Champaign Aviation Museum Annual Gala event on the evening of Saturday April 21, 2018 at 1652 N Main St, Urbana, OH 43078.
CLICK HERE to see past recipients of the Trailblazer Awards.
See more on the Champaign Aviation Museum and the Annual Gala Event at http://www.champaignaviationmuseum.org/museum-gala