Monday, August 28, 2017

Patricia and Bill Darby: Couple receive Federal Aviation Administration award

Pilot award: Patricia and Bill Darby



Midlanders Patricia and Bill Darby were among those who received a  prestigious award from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizes individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as master pilots.

A distinctive certificate and lapel pin are issued after application review and eligibility requirements have been met. Upon request, a stickpin similar in design to the lapel pin is also provided to the award recipient’s spouse in recognition of his or her support to the recipient’s aviation career. Once the award has been issued, the recipient’s name, city and state will be added to a published Roll of Honor.

It is believed that the Darbys are the first husband-wife duo to receive the award on the same day. Both began their flying careers in January 1965 -- Bill in McCamey and Patricia  in Midland. Bill worked as a charter pilot and flight instructor in San Angelo before joining the FAA as an air traffic controller in 1969. Patricia worked as a charter pilot and flight instructor in Midland, Los Alamos, Denver and Dallas before joining the FAA as an air traffic controller in 1967. The couple met in 1965 at a fly-in breakfast in Pecos.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.mrt.com

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