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In Memorium - Don Lopez
We recently received this news from Jack Dailey, Director of NASM. Don Lopez was a long-time friend of aviation education
and the Brewer Trophy. The BTAEA encourages you to donate to the memorial fund.
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the death of Don Lopez, long-time deputy director of the National Air and
Space Museum. He passed away with his family by his side on Monday, March 3 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC. He was
84 years old.
As you know, Don had been with the Smithsonian and the National Air and Space Museum since 1972. He was a renowned fighter
pilot, test pilot, engineer, professor, author, and dear friend to all of us associated with the National Air and Space Museum.
Don is survived by his wife Glindel, his son Donald Lopez Jr., daughter Joy Lopez and granddaughter, Laura Lopez. The family
has asked that anyone who would like to honor his memory make donations to the National Air and Space Museum Donald S. Lopez
Memorial Fund:
Donald S. Lopez Memorial Fund
National Air and Space Museum
Development Office
MRC 321 PO Box 37012
Washington DC 20013-7012
We have created an online tribute to Don, which includes a three-segment video of Don recalling his time as a pilot during
WWII and a section where you can share your own personal stories or thoughts about Don. Click on this link:
http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/lopez
or paste the link into your browser.
2008 Brewer Trophy Nominations Deadline
NAA has extended the nominations period until May 15, 2008.
2008 Brewer Trophy Nominations
The nomination period for the Frank G. Brewer Trophy is open until February 28, 2008 – "for significant contributions
of enduring value to aerospace education...".
One of the most important responsibilities of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is that, as owner and administrator
of some of our nation's most prestigious aviation awards, we recognize those individuals, teams and corporations which have
done so much to advance one of the truly great American industries – aviation and aerospace.
The caliber of our great awards program, however, is only as strong as the work that goes into nominating and selecting each
winner – and that is where you come in.
For information on nomination procedures please visit the NAA web site (www.naa.aero click on awards)
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2008 United States Young Aviation Artist Contest
Announced For America’s Youth
WASHINGTON, DC – The Brewer Trophy Aviation Education Association (BTAEA) today announced the 2008 United States Young
Aviation Artist Contest, in partnership with the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA).
The announcement was made jointly by Frank G. Brewer, III, President of the Brewer Trophy Aviation Education Association,
and Kristin Hill, President of the American Society of Aviation Artists.
Download full press release (pdf)
Feik receives Brewer Award
In recognition of over 65 years of personal and professional dedication to aviation education as a teacher, mentor, innovator,
pilot, engineer and leader to America’s youth, Colonel Mary S. Feik has been awarded the 2006 Frank G. Brewer Trophy.
View photo of Col. Feik and more
The Brewer Trophy is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association to an individual, a group of individuals, or
an organization for significant contributions of enduring value to aerospace education in the United States.
“To be given such an honor as the Brewer award for something that you’ve enjoyed for so many years is simply awesome,”
says Feik. “If you’ve had a career with so much joy in it and met so many wonderful people in it, then to be honored
and recognized for all that joy on top of everything… it’s just tremendous.”
A childhood barnstorming ride in a Curtiss Jenny when she was just seven years old, combined with her father’s instruction
in mechanics and his mantra, “Aim high and follow your dreams,” eventually led Feik to a job as a teenager working
in an aircraft maintenance shop. That was followed by a long career, teaching aircraft maintenance and mechanics for the U.S.
Army Air Forces at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. She is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development
in the Air Technical Service Command Division and much later, in 1996, became the first woman to earn the Charles Taylor Master
Mechanics Award.
Feik flew more than 6,000 hours as a pilot in fighter, attack, bomber, cargo and training aircraft to determine flight maintenance,
safety training requirements and also qualified as a B-29 Flight Engineer. In 2004, she received the Civil Air Patrol Distinguished
Service Medal and was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
She was also responsible for designing and building the first Captivair, an experimental prototype training device for pilots
using operational aircraft on pylons that could quickly be returned to air service after serving as training aids. Her prototype
became a standard design used on many different high-performance fighter aircraft and foreshadowed the development of the
flight simulators and other training devices in use today.
Feik worked for the National Air and Space Museum for ten years, first as a docent in the museum on the National Mall, then
as a Restoration Specialist at the museum’s Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility. She now restores historic aircraft
and teaches restoration techniques for antique and classic aircraft to young people and aviation club members. In addition
to conducting aircraft maintenance and airplane fabric workshops for youth, Feik spends much of her time traveling –
at her own expense – to speak with youth and leaders at college campuses, museums and aviation organizations and is
a member of the Careers in Aviation Board.
Common themes in her teaching include the values instilled in her by her father and her military colleagues: Teamwork, the
importance of technical training, and pride in workmanship.
Feik has received many honors in her long and storied career, including three Civil Air Patrol Regional Brewer awards. In
2003, she was named among the “100 most influential women in aviation and aerospace industries over the last 100 years”
by Women in Aviation International. As of December 2002, all Civil Air Patrol cadets working towards the rank of Cadet Senior
Airman are awarded the Mary S. Feik Achievement, the third achievement in the cadet program.
“So much of this – all these tremendous honors – is so far beyond the purview of what I might have ever
thought was possible at various points throughout my life,” says Feik. “The real honor however,… it’s
the kids. My legacy is going to be the youngsters that I have either taught or that I have influenced in one way or another.
As far as I’m concerned, there isn’t a greater honor. There just isn’t.”
A full interview with Col. Mary S. Feik will appear in an upcoming issue of NAA's AERO Magazine. The 2006 Brewer Award
will be awarded to Feik later this year.
 BTAEA joins NAA
The Brewer Trophy Aviation Education Association has joined NAA as an Affiliate Member. NAA's affiliate members represent
a special collection of aviation businesses and organizations that participate in many critical aviation issues.
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