Brownwood resident Charles King was presented today with the “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award”.   The award was given by Craig Patterson and Dan Vengen, program managers with the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team.  This award goes to pilots with over fifty years of safe flying experience, and who have displayed aviation proficiency, skill, and expertise.

King’s flying career began in 1971, when he flew his first solo flight on March 7, and received his private pilot’s license on May 21.  Since then he has accumulated over 7,000 flight hours, and has earned an instrument rating, a commercial pilot’s license, a multi-engine rating, a glider pilot’s license, and became a Certified Flight Instructor.  King has flown everything from a beginner’s two-seater Cessna 150 up to a Lear Jet.  He also built and flew his own experimental aircraft, a Christen Eagle.   King’s son Trevin is also a commercial pilot, having flown several years for Piedmont Airlines, and now flies for American Airlines.

Pictured below are Charles King, his wife Becky, and his son Trevin.