BROOKSVILLE, FL - The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1298 at Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport (BKV) recently marked an extraordinary aviation achievement by honoring fourteen local pilots with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. The awards were presented during an appreciation luncheon on January 10 and recognized aviators who have completed 50 or more years of safe, accident-free flying.

Together, the honorees represent more than 700 years of cumulative flight experience, reflecting an exceptional record of safety, skill, and professionalism. Chapter leadership praised the group’s collective commitment to aviation excellence and lifelong dedication to safe flight.

The recognized pilots bring a wide range of backgrounds and experience, including military aviation, airline operations, flight instruction, and decades of recreational flying. Several have played roles in preserving the airport’s World War II heritage, spearheading the design and restoration of the recently completed BKV WWII Gunnery Backstop Memorial.

Others remain actively engaged in shaping the future of aviation through education and mentorship. Through EAA programs such as Young Eagles and other handson youth initiatives, these seasoned aviators help introduce students to aviation, engineering, and the fundamentals of flight, inspiring curiosity and career pathways in aerospace.

Collectively, EAA Chapter 1298’s Master Pilots represent a living legacy at Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport—honoring aviation’s past, strengthening the community today, and inspiring the next generation of pilots.

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Kimberly Poppke, Marketing Coordinator
Hernando County Office of Economic Development
15800 Flight Path Drive, Brooksville, FL 34604
352-540-6400 kpoppke@hernandocounty.us