The trail's annual Trailblazer Awards Banquet and Ceremony honors the birthday of Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867) and presents the Trailblazer Award to an individual or organization that has furthered aviation in the greater Miami Valley. Held annually since 1983 on or near the anniversary date, the Trailblazer has recognized 22 individuals and 12 organizations. The most recent honoree was Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park Service for its accomplishments during the its 15-year presence. The venue for the event moves from year to year.
Twenty-Five Years of Trailblazers
1983 – Thomas H. Davis, Founder and Retired CEO, Piedmont Airlines
1984 – John C. Emery Jr. CEO, Emery Worldwide
1985 – Ervin and Zoe Dell Nutter, Elano Corporation
James R. Wood, Director of Aviation, City of Dayton
1986 - McCauley Division, Cessna Aircraft Company
1987 – 275th Air Base Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base
George J. Wedekind, U. S. Air and Trade Show
1988 – Ivonette Wright Miller, Niece of Orville and Wilbur Wright
Dr. J.H. Meyer, Surgeon and Aviation Pioneer
1989 – Wright “B” Flyer Inc., builders of the replica flying Wright “B”
Floyd G. Koller, World Leader, Fuel Valve Engineering
1990 - Hartzell Propeller Inc., Pioneers in Aviation Propellers and
The Hartzell Family of Hartzell Industries Inc., Piqua, Ohio
1991 – John C. Dussault, Aviation Leader
NCR Corporation, a Major Force in the Birthplace of Aviation
1992 – Hans Joachim Pabst Von Ohain, Ph.D. Co-inventor of the Jet Engine
Chief Scientist, Aerospace Research Laboratories, WPAFB, and Senior
Research Engineer, University of Dayton
1993 – Archives and Special Collections of the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Library,
Wright State University, Repository of the Wright Artifacts
1994 – The Hon. Tony P. Hall, U.S. House of Representatives,
The Hon. David L. Hobson, U.S. House of Representatives,
1995 – The International Women’s Air and Space Museum, Preserver of the
History of Women in Aviation
1996 – Albert L. Nels, U.S. National and World Champion Balloonist
1997 – Neal V. Loving, Aeronautical Engineer, Racing Pilot, Author
1998 - Carillon Historical Park, World-class Museum which houses the
the 1905 Wright Flyer III
1999 – Waco Historical Society, Preserver and resorer of products of the WACO
Aircraft Company
2000 - G. Wilkinson “Wick” Wright, Enthusiastic supporter of Aviation
organizations in the Miami Valley and Wright Family Spokesman
2001 - Tom D. Crouch, Ph.D., Senior Curator Aeronautics, National Air and
Space Museum, The Smithsonian Institution, Author, Teacher, and
Supporter of the Miami Valley’s Aviation Heritage.
2002 - General Electric Aircraft Engines, Southwestern Ohio ptoducer of superior aircraft engines, their materials, fuels, and related technologies for 50-plus years and supporter of aviation in the greater Miami Valley.
2003- National Aviation Hall of Fame, a non profit organization that has enshrined to date 179 American and space pioneers whose contributions are interpreted in a new Learning and Research Center which opened adjacent to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in January 2003
2004 - Blair Conrad, Director, Dayton International Airport, whose mangagement skills, aviation knowledge and safety concerns have estavlished it as one of the best managed airports in the region.
2005- Howard R. DuFour, author of Charles E. Taylor, the Wright Brothers' Mechanician; originator of the 1903 Wright Flyer replica in the Wright State University Library; master machinist, model maker and honorary engineer who contributed to the Manhattan Project.
2006 - Nick Engler, founder of Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co., builder of reproductions of all Wright Brother's kites, gliders, and powered airplanes; kid focused via "rib workshops" for making the planes' parts; and unselfish communicator via exhibits, print, and website.
2007 - Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, during its 15-year presence in Dayton, this site has attracted national recognition, park service personnel, and resources to tell the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, the community's aviation heritage, and the poet laureate Paul Laurence Dunbar. The park has been able to tell the aviation story through a number or partnerships in the community.
2008 - Mary Ann Johnson, aviation historian and author who has supported aviation-related projects in the Dayton-Miami Valley area for over 25 years, is the recipient of the 2008 Trailblazer Award presented annually by Aviation Trail, Inc.