The Aero Club of Washington recently named the late Bill DeCota the recipient of the Donald D. Engen Trophy for Aviation Excellence.
The Engen award, named for Admiral Donald D. Engen, a former director of the National Air & Space Museum, commemorates the Wright Brothers’ historic achievements. The permanent trophy is in the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Susan M. Baer, aviation director of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, accepted the award on behalf of DeCota, who served as aviation director from December 1999 until his death in September.
“It’s a great honor to accept an award that recognizes one of the true giants this industry has ever known,” said Baer, who was named DeCota’s successor after serving as the aviation department’s deputy director/chief operating officer.
The Aero Club said DeCota’s “work on behalf of airports, airlines, general aviation and the traveling public make him a very deserving recipient of the Aero Club’s Engen Trophy.”
