May 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A local pilot has earned the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for more than 50 years of safe flying.
Lee Bridges of Smithville was presented the award at a dinner in his honor Wednesday evening at the Smithville airport.
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is presented to pilots who have flown for more than 50 years with no accidents, incidents, violations or civil penalties. It is the most prestigious award the Federal Aviation Administration issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61.
The award is named after the Wright Brothers, the first US pilots, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as “Master Pilots”.
Bridges met all the prerequisites for this award including zero accidents, incidents or deviations in his 50 years of flying with over 30,000 flying hours. His career over these 50 years includes Flight Instructor, Corporate Pilot, and Airline Captain flying for both United Airlines and US Airways.
Bridges retired from US Airways in 2012 with over 32 years of service. He is an aircraft owner and also a certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic and he holds an Inspection Authorization. His love of flying was passed down from his father who was a World War II pilot and Airline Captain as well.
Lee’s wife Ginnie is also a certified pilot as are his two children, Bo and Heather. His wife, his two children, his four grandchildren, and many other well-wishers were all present at the dinner when Lee received this award.