The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced it is to honour businessman Ross Perot Jr. with its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award.
It will present the award to Perot, eldest son of American billionaire and two-time presidential candidate Ross Perot, for his “extraordinary lifelong professional contributions to aviation.”
“Ross is not only an aviation pioneer in his own right, but also an outstanding citizen, businessman, and leader with a tremendous life story,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.
“He represents the very best of our industry, including its humanitarian values, and has been a tireless advocate for the entire aviation community and a lifetime patriot for the U.S.”
Perot chairs his family investment firm, The Perot Group, as well as being founder and chairman of real estate development company Hillwood, which helped develop Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas.
Perot is also a pilot himself and made a name for himself by co-piloting the first round-the-world flight in a helicopter in 1982, at the age of 23.
He also served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and has been known to operate Alliance Airport’s business aircraft himself on various humanitarian missions across the globe.
Perot will be presented with the award at next month’s NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas.
Pictured above is the Spirit of Texas, the Bell 206 helicopter Perot co-piloted on his around-the-world trip.