7th Living Legends
of
Aviation
Michelle Rouch, Hank Caruso, and Mimi Stuart
Amelia Earhart rendition, titled, "Perseverance" by Rouch
Desplayed at Learjet, Van Nuys, CA
by
Michelle Rouch The Living Legends of Aviation comprises of 70 honorable aviators that includes astronauts, pilots, entrepreneurs, innovators, and first record breakers, who have become celebrities or are celebrities who have become pilots. The gala event meets every year to pay tribute to individuals that have made significant contributions in the area of aviation. Kiddie Hawk Air Academy (http://kiddiehawk.org/), producers of the 7th Living Legends of Aviation, is a non-profit organization that aims to stimulate the minds of 5 to 9 year-olds the joy of aviation, math, and science. They extended a special invitation to Hank Caruso, Mimi Stuart, and Michelle Rouch to donate unique pieces of artwork for their fundraiser. ASAA members that attended the event wish to congratulate this year's distinguished Living Legends Honorees: Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Joe Clark, Tom Cruise, Preston Henne, Elon Musk, Jeffrey Puckett, Kurt Russell, and Kermit Weeks.
Capt Rich Dann, Mimi Stuart, Hank Caruso,
and Michelle Rouch with art at the LLOA
(Photograph Credits: Amy Schapiro)
The Living Legends of Aviation was hosted by John Travolta, the official Ambassador of Aviation. Sean Tucker, Aerobatic star, who was the emcee for the evening’s event voiced enthusiastically "Thank God that the Lips [family] came up with this." Dr. Buzz Aldrin received the First Out of This World Landing and Take-Off Award, shared with the admiring onlookers "Education got me everywhere in life." Harrison Ford who was in New York for his opening Spreading Wings tribute, offered "Dreams start when we are children; the dream of flight never stops." Amanda Wright Lane shared, "The desire and the romance in looking to the sky." John Travolta expressed his support to Haiti and he will fly his own jet plane filled with medical staff and supplies. Then he presented the award to Tom Cruise, who owns a P-51 and received the Top Aviation Inspiration and Patriotism Award. Tom Cruise, the highlight of the evening, expressed, "Aviation is the foundation of America, making the dream a reality." The public could not agree with him more.
Aviation is the heart of America and Kiddie Hawk Air Academy and other kids related aviation education programs, i.e., Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles (http://www.youngeagles.org) and Wright Flight (http://www.wrightflight.org) in Tucson, AZ, founded Robin Stoddard, makes the dream of flying a reality for children. Another similar organization, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Tucson Section Education & Outreach (https://info.aiaa.org/Regions/Western/Tucson/default.aspx) - award-winning Kids Club offers Math Magic, Build Launch Rockets, DNA, Aviation Art, Electricity, Solar Astronomy annually. Michelle Rouch volunteers her time to run the Aviation Art program year after year and in March 2010 she will embark the same project at Aviation High School, fully supported by Erik Lindbergh, a Living Legends of Aviation member wanted to find a program that integrates engineering with art for kids. During the Living Legends of Aviation event, Michelle Rouch had the opportunity to discuss in person her thumbnail sketches of Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III Flight 1549 with Tom Poberezny, EAA Chairman of the Board and President, Elissa Lines, EAA VP, Development, and Jeannie Rose. The final painting, a one of a kind rendition of Flight 1549, will be donated for the EAA Young Eagles, co-chairs Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles, fundraise event at EAA AirVenture Convention at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional in July 26, 2010 – August 1, 2010.
Conceptual Sketch of Flight 1549
Hank Caruso, Mimi Stuart, and Michelle Rouch owe the Lips Family enormous thanks to participated in raising money for Kiddie Hawk Air Academy.
Article published in ASAA AeroBrush Magazine, 1st Qtr 2010 edition
