Aviation services veteran John Enticknap has been honoured with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at a recent monthly meeting of the Atlanta Aero Club.

The award was instituted by the FAA in 2003 to recognise pilots who have demonstrated safe flight operations continuously for 50 or more years. The award was presented by Roger Williams, FAA safety team programme manager and Michael O'Harra, FAA southern regional administrator.

Enticknap, president of Aviation Business Strategies Group, started flying in 1966 and has accumulated more than 8,200 hours. He holds ATP, Commercial and CFII certificates and is a single engine, multi-engine, instrument and rotorcraft rated pilot.

In 1969, he became a US Army Warrant Officer and served as a helicopter pilot with the 11th Armoured Calvary 3rd Squadron under the command of Colonel George S. Patton, Jr.

During his tour of duty, Enticknap flew both UH-1 Huey and OH6 scout helicopters and became Aviation Section Commander. He received several awards and commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross air medal with 26 additional awards, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Vietnam campaign medals.

After his time in the military, Enticknap continued flying professionally becoming chief pilot and flight instructor for New England Flight Services before his appointment as a test pilot at MITs Lincoln Laboratory. He has also held positions of increasing responsibility with Beckett Aviation and DynAir Fueling and was the president and CEO of Mercury Air Centers.

Most recently, he served as a part-time charter pilot and flight instructor for Quality Aviation located at Atlanta's Peachtree DeKalb airport.