Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority President Bill Marrison was presented the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Wednesday during the airport authority’s board of commissioners meeting.
Named after the first pioneers of flight, the Federal Aviation Administration recognition seeks to honor aircraft pilots who have consistently demonstrated their skill, expertise and knowledge of aviation and who have served in the field for a minimum of 50 years.
“50 years is a long time,” said Pam Charles, Federal Aviation Administration project manager. “Think about wher aviation was and wher it is now.”
Marrison, who has been with the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport since 1982, previously held positions in both the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority and Jackson Madison County Airport Authority.
“As a pilot marking over 50 years of safe operation, I am honored to be recognized as a master pilot,” Marrison said. “This award represents decades of continuous dedication to aviation safety and a commitment to safety standards.”
In addition to the distinguished award, Marrison was named Tennessee’s Airport Manager of the Year by the Tennessee Department of Transportation in 1991, and later received the American Association of Airport Executives’ Distinguished Service Award for his many contributions to the airport community in 2010.
“For putting up with him four 50 years,” Charles also presented Marrison’s wife, Nancy, with a Wright Brothers Master Pilot Spouse Award Recognition pin.
In other business Wednesday, the MKAA approved:
• the ratification of an Appalachian Regional Commission grant to be used toward the design funding of the Oak Ridge Airport;
• a professional services agreement with Stair Public Affairs to provide planning, coordination and communication services on the proposed Oak Ridge Airport from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2017;
• comprehensive revisions of storm water pollution prevention and spill prevention control and countermeasure plans at McGhee Tyson and Knoxville Downtown Island airports;
• the planning, programming, design and cost estimation for maintenance improvements at McGhee Tyson’s vehicle parking garage;
• and a Jones Brothers Construction design-build contract to repair McGhee Tyson’s Alcoa Highway access bridge that was damaged by a brick in July.
Following the board of commissioners meeting, a reception was held at the Airport Hilton to honor former MKAA attorney Bruce Foster’s recent retirement.
