Page 31 - World Airshow News Final

THE BoB HooVEr wInGMAn AwArd
The Bob Hoover Wingman Award is presented each year to
an individual from within or outside the airshow business who
has been a reliable supporter or advocate of the airshow industry.
For 2024, the Bob Hoover Wingman Award went to event or-
ganizer and airshow performer Sam Graves for the work he has
done on behalf of the American airshow community in his day-
job as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mis-
souri. Graves, who was not present due to his responsibilities in
Washington, D.C., was recognized for his role in advocating for
airshow and general aviation issues, as well as specific legislation
he helped to introduce and pass that has helped the airshow com-
munity. He accepted via a videotaped message.
Photo top: The 2024 Bob Hoover Wingman Award recipient, Rep.
Sam Graves of Missouri (U.S. House of Representatives photo).

dES BArkEr SAfETy AwArd
The Des Barker Safety Award is jointly presented by ICAS and
the European Air Show Council in alternating years. The award
is named for Major General Des Barker, a former fighter pilot,
test pilot, and airshow performer who devoted much of his post-
retirement time to researching and better understanding airshow
accidents.
In recognition of nearly two decades of service as chair of the
Pyrotechnics Subcommittee of the ICAS Safety Committee, Gor-
don Webb from the Tora Bomb Squad was named as the 2024
recipient of the award. During his almost 20-year term as head of
the Pyro Subcommittee, Gordon led the airshow industry’s suc-
cessful efforts to safely entertain audiences with pyrotechnic dis-
plays. Gordon is stepping down from both the Tora Bomb Squad
and the Pyro Subcommittee following the 2024 airshow season.

Photo second from top: Gordon Webb accepts the Des Barker
Safety Award from ICAS Vice President of Safety and Operations,
Dan Hollowell.

ICAS foundATIon AIr SHow
HAll of fAME InduCTIonS
The International Council of Air Shows Foundation’s Air
Show Hall of Fame was created in 1995 to honor those who have
made a significant contribution to the airshow industry. This Above: Dale Drumright of the ICAS Foundation (holding award) surrounded by
year’s inductees were airshow performer Al Pietsch and airshow members of the Pietsch family during the induction of Al Pietsch into the Air Show
announcer Rob Reider. Hall of Fame. Below: Dale Drumright with Air Show Hall of Fame inductee Rob
From 1968 through 1995, North Dakota-based Al Pietsch per- Reider and his family.
formed throughout the U.S. and Canada in his Stolp Starduster
Too biplane. During the latter stages of his airshow career, he also
performed with his two sons, Kent and Warren in a multi-ship,
multi-act flying circus. Al Pietsch was killed in an aviation ac-
cident in 1995.
Over the last three decades, Rob Reider established himself
as both a top airshow narrator and a tireless advocate for the air-
show business. He also helped coach the narrators for the Blue
Angels, as well as many of the USAF single-ship tactical dem-
onstration teams. Reider finished his airshow career at the Blue
Angels Homecoming Show at NAS Pensacola in November 2024.

World Airshow News 31 The Final Issue