AACA SERVICE AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Presented at the 2021 Annual Convention & Trade Show
By acknowledging the exceptional merit of an individual or organization, the Alaska Air Carrier Association service awards encourage performance at the highest standards, continually developing professionalism in the Alaskan aviation industry. 

Please include the following: the individual or organization name and contact information, the award you are nominating them for, and a short summary on why the individual or group is being nominated.
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AACA ARLO LIVINGSTON AWARD

This award recognizes individual achievement in the betterment of Alaskan aviation. The AACA Arlo Livingston Award was created in 1983 in memory of a remarkable man who made a lifelong contribution to the aviation industry. Arlo was instrumental in starting the Alaska Air Carriers Association in 1966. 

Previous recipients include leaders from every corner of Alaska:

  • Carl Brady, honored as an early helicopter pioneer
  • Richard Wien, honored for taking AACA statewide & serving as the 1st statewide president
  • Ken Eichner, helicopter pilot and businessman, honored as an initial AACA supporter
  • Ronald Klemm,  flew over 40,600 hours completing his aviation career with 25 years at Everts. Ron also creatively brought aviation to life, designing aircraft nose art and aircraft parade floats and developed fuel transport STCs to support building the transAlaska Pipeline. 
  • Harold Esmailka,  generously, faithfully, and tirelessly supported the aviation industry and the people of Alaska.     

​This award is considered each year, but is given only when a deserving candidate is identified who has made an exceptional contribution to Alaskan aviation.

AACA TONY CESTNIK MAINTENANCE AWARD

The Tony Cestnik Maintenance Award exists to honor an individual, team, or organization for distinguished, longstanding performance of aviation maintenance which sets a standard of excellence.

MECHANIC OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognizes a mechanic for exemplary long-term service or an outstanding specific action which personifies an outstanding awareness of the contribution of maintenance to aviation safety. The recipient must be a current Airframe and Powerplant-rated mechanic with at least five years of experience. Eligibility for this award is limited to hands-on maintenance personnel and their direct supervisors.

AACA IDITAROD HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

This award was created to honor an individual pilot or aviation company who best demonstrates the value of aviation in transporting and caring for the dogs or people participating in the Last Great Race. The award may be for a particular single action, or for service in a consistently outstanding manner for a period of time.

AACA EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATION AWARD

This award honors an individual, publicist, journalist, or media group that has achieved either (a) the most distinct dissemination of aviation news that results in public awareness, (b) makes a significant impact in educating the public on an aspect of the aviation industry, or (c) provides, over a period of time, consistently informative coverage that  positively advances an aviation issue.

AACA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

This award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding service to the community through improvements to cargo, mail or passenger service to a specific site or a region.  The award can recognize a particular single action, or for service in a consistently outstanding manner for a period of time.

AACA EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT AWARD

This award recognizes an aviation team or pilot who, through a particular rescue /transport or contributions over a period of time to the air medical industry, has exemplified professionalism and expediency in the saving of lives.

PILOT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The award recognizes an outstanding single feat performed by a pilot during the year, or extraordinary professionalism over a period of time.