Lauren Sanchez - Living Legends of Aviation Award 2024

[Cyclic Hotline]

Jeff Bezos's fiancee Lauren Sanchez to receive Living Legends of Aviation Award in 2024Lauren Sanchez is CEO, helicopter pilot of Black Ops Aviation
By Web Desk
December 14, 2023Jeff Bezos spotted with fiancee Lauren Sanchez. — X/@amysussmanLauren Sanchez will begin 2024 with great anticipation as she will be bestowed with the Living Legends of Aviation's Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award.

Along with a hundred other people, the creator of Black Ops Aviation will receive recognition for their outstanding contributions to the fields of aerospace and aviation.

Former pop news reporter and news anchor Lauren Sanchez is the CEO and helicopter pilot of Black Ops Aviation, an aerial film company that she started.

In an interview with the[i] Hollywood Reporter, Sanchez revealed that her love for helicopter flying overcame her dyslexia via intense study and training.

"I wish I could spend my entire life in a helicopter. With so much going on in life, it can get rather chaotic. You enter an energy area as you lift off that is exclusive to you. It's soothing. Up there, I'm contentment personified. This is where I should be, I think to myself," she remarked.

Sanchez posted a picture of herself landing a new helicopter for the first time during her helicopter training in 2022.

The photo showed her thumb with the throttle's round impression on it. She added "First time landing in a different helicopter #training" and "IYKUK" over the photo.

Jeff Bezos and Sanches live together and also work together. They’ve been dating for the last several years — since 2019. The American media personality helps run the Bezos Earth Fund.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thenews.com.pk/amp/1138168-jeff-bezoss-fiancee-lauren-sanchez-to-receive-living-legends-of-aviation-award-in-2024

[RVDT]

Must be "lunchtime"?

[[email protected]]

Living legend after only training in 2022?

Black Ops Aviation is a rather pretentious name for an aerial film company given that real Black Ops in a helicopter would be way beyond a newbies capabilities.

Yes, slow news day.

[BFSGrad]

Living legend after only training in 2022?
Other sources say she’s been helo’ing since 2016. So 7 years is almost a lifetime, right?

BTW, who won this award in 2023? The name escapes me at the moment.

[[email protected]]

So 7 years is almost a lifetime, right? if you are 7 or 8, I suppose so:)​​​​​​​

[Cyclic Hotline]

Hold on - an even greater aviation legend has now shown up! (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12950937/prince-harry-living-legend-aviation-tim-peake-royal-navy-admiral-fury.html)

'Prince Harry is NOT a Living Legend of Aviation': Ex-Royal Navy chief slams 'pathetic publicity stunt' after Duke beats British astronaut Tim Peake to win aviation award - as top colonel says royal wasn't even at the controls of Afghanistan helicopter
b]Lord Alan West lashed out at Harry being named a 'Living Legend' in aviation [/b]
b]The Duke pipped fellow Apache pilot-turned-astronaut Peake to the accolade [/b]
PUBLISHED: 07:22 EST, 11 January 2024 | UPDATED: 07:53 EST, 11 January 2024

A defence chief has hit out after Prince Harry beat history-making British astronaut Tim Peake to be named a 'Legend of Aviation' for his work flying an Army helicopter in Afghanistan.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, has been recognised for the gong ahead of fellow veteran Apache gunship pilot-turned-astronaut Peake, 51, who in 2016 became the first British astronaut to walk in space during a trip to International Space Station.

Harry will be inducted next Friday at a glitzy awards ceremony hosted by actor and aviation ambassador John Travolta[/url] in Beverly Hills, and where VIP tables can cost £30,000.

The Duke bagged the award despite only ever being 'number two' in his helicopter, acting as a gunner in Afghanistan - with his gong success today branded a 'pathetic' publicity stunt by Lord Alan West, the former head of the Royal Navy.

Reacting to Harry's accolade, the Cold War naval commander told MailOnline: 'He is not a living legend of aviation. To suggest he is, is pathetic. It makes the whole thing seem a bit of a nonsense if they’re willing to pick someone like Prince Harry.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/11/79858955-12950937-Prince_Harry_s_work_as_a_British_Army_veteran_and_pilot_will _be_-a-1_1704971404794.jpg
Prince Harry, pictured in 2012

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/11/79889003-12950937-image-a-11_1704972950559.jpg
Tim Peake served 17 years in the British military before becoming an astronaut and spending six months on the International Space Station

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/12/79890047-12950937-image-a-25_1704974688244.jpg
Admiral Lord Alan West, the former head of the Royal Navy said he was outraged the Duke of Sussex had been recognised over the likes of Peake.

Retired British Army Colonel Richard Kemp also lashed out, claiming the awards were about 'celebrities massaging each other's egos'.

'I can think of many people who did pretty extraordinary things while serving in the British and American armed forces which would be much more deserving of an award like this.' he told The Sun.

He added: 'It is obviously because of who he is - not what he did. An Apache is crewed by two people - a pilot and a gunner. Harry was a gunner. He was number two in the aircraft.'

The decorated event has been previously been dubbed by actor Morgan Freeman - who has also been hailed a 'living legend - as the Oscars of aviation.

Harry will be joining a host of famous faces, including Apollo 11 hero Buzz Aldrin, Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford, who are both qualified pilots, and billionaires Elon Musk and Jeffrey Bezos, who own their own space businesses.

Former 'living legends' are involved in nominating and selecting the next generation of inductees, with the likes of Travolta, Bezos, Ford, Freeman and Musk among the high-profile stars who would have been able to have a say in the move.

Lauren Sanchez, the 53-year-old fiancé of Amazon founder Bezos, is also set to receive an accolade at next week's gongs, being presented with the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award, highlighting her work in business and as a helicopter pilot.

View galleryBuzz Aldrin is current 'legend' on the roll with Neil Armstrong (left) a past inductee. (Pictured with Michael Collins who was the third member of the Apollo 11 lunar landing astronauts)

It is understood the Duke's work with setting up the Invictus Games Foundation will also be celebrated, according to the awards. It is not clear whether Harry, or his wife Meghan Markle, will attend the ceremony.

Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, the organisation behind Harry's new gong, is a non-profit seeking to spark an interest in aviation with children and young people.

Former RAF Tornado G4 fighter pilot Tim Davies said he could understand why the organisation behind the accolade would want someone with Prince Harry's celebrity clout on board.

One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'I look forward to every other military pilot in the world being given the same award based on his accomplishments in that field.'

Another added: 'Is this a joke? What is the legendary stuff that he has done? I am asking seriously! What the heck has he done?'

Fans of the Sussexes rallied around the prince and sent their congratulations to 'soldier Harry' who completed two tours in Afghanistan.

The event was set up in 2003 to honour those who make significant contributions to aviation and aerospace.

People still 'living' are recorded on the list and replace past inductees who have died, such as Neil Armstrong.

The Duke completed two tours of Afghanistan as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot, having flown countless training missions in the UK, US and Australia.

He served for 10 years in the military, rising to the rank of Captain.

Other aerospace icons set to be inducted alongside the prince this year include US navy pilot Fred George and former world speed record holder Steve Hinton.

The event's website also praised the duke for his work with charities and organisations including Travalyst, Sentebale, African Parks, WellChild and the Invictus Games.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/11/66348269-12950937-During_his_second_tour_in_Afghanistan_he_spent_four_months_a s_an-a-2_1704971407719.jpg
During his second tour in Afghanistan, he spent four months as an Apache helicopter pilot - from September 2012 to January 2013. Pictured in 2012

A statement on the event's website said: 'Prince Harry is a humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate and environmentalist.

'He has dedicated his life to advancing causes that he is passionate about and that bring about permanent change for people and places.'

The event's website also highlights Harry's efforts as a 'humanitarian, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist', touching on his work with Travalyst, Sentebale, African Parks, WellChild, BetterUp the Aspen Institute Commission on Information Disorder - and The Archewell Foundation.

It also praised the Duke's 'compassion, vulnerability, and unflinching honesty' in his memoir Spare.

Early last year, Harry said his military career 'saved him' after the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, by helping him 'turn his pain into purpose'.

'My military career saved me in many regards,' he told host Anderson Cooper. 'It got me out of the spotlight from the UK press.

His brother, William, Prince of Wales, trained with the RAF as a search and rescue pilot in 2009, before becoming an air ambulance pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years from March 2015.

The event - produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy - commemorates 'remarkable people of extraordinary accomplishment in aviation' - and the 'Legends' meet annually to honour new industry leaders.

[Kakpipe Cosmonaut]

As a Falklands veteran, I’m curious as to why Prince Andrew hasn’t got any recognition. At least he was at the controls.

[Salusa]

As a Falklands veteran, I’m curious as to why Prince Andrew hasn’t got any recognition. At least he was at the controls.

Was he sweating?

[KiwiNedNZ]

Based on the reasoning above for Harry being selected wouldnt it have been wiser to select William as he has done more for the aviation world and is still a working royal which would have also bought more kudos. Or did they choose Harry just because he lives in California.

[albatross]

Sarcasm
“So, is this award. limited to the only the Military, Uber Rich, the famous or those of Royal Birth?”
Sarcasm Over.
I can think of folks, some even members here, whose contributions to the industry certainly far exceed those of the people being discussed here.

[griffothefog]

Oh to be a real celebrity pitot…

[SASless]

Will Rogers, a great American comedian who enjoyed commenting on politics, who died in an airplane crash with Wiley Post in Nome, Alaska once had this to say about such matters.

We can't all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by.

Will Rogers (https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/will-rogers-quotes)​​​​​​​

[605carsten]

Does a front seater in a Apache actually fly the thing or is he just manning the guns?

William was a bonafide rescue pilot, no?

[Cinderella12]

Well, all this tells you the true value of these "Awards" :E.......................................................... ...0

[ShyTorque]

A case of who you know, rather than what you know?

[T28B]

Does a front seater in a Apache actually fly the thing or is he just manning the guns? Might I suggest you ask that on the Military Aviation forum?
(I can't find it at the moment, but I think there was a thread discussing that a few years back before HRH got married)

[Expatrick]

At this point, I have to ask a question -

Sone years ago my Wife bought me the book APACHE by Ed Macy, "Elite pilot, 23 years service, 3930 flying hours, awarded Military Cross, decorated war hero" - allegedly.

Is this book actually true?

[nomorehelosforme]

A case of who you know, rather than what you know?

Or who you make a generous donation to?

[LRP]

Does a front seater in a Apache actually fly the thing or is he just manning the guns?

William was a bonafide rescue pilot, no?

The front seat is the "Copilot/Gunner" position, much like the front seat in the AH-1 Cobra series. There is a full set of flight controls, power levers, etc. The primary mission duties are operating the target acquisition/navigation systems and target designation for the weapons systems. You can perform pilot/instructor pilot duties in the front seat also.

[Rotorbee]

Don't the Brits have always two pilots in the Apache and they switch seats?

Anyway, might be possible that the yanks run out of hero's. Every state has its Hall of Fame for Aviation and what not. It's a bit like kindergarten where everybody gets a price.
Now they have to lower the bar (i.e. pilot qualifications) to even find somebody that makes headlines in any news. And if this aviation hall of fame is a foundation and tax deductible, all those patrons will loose their way to save money from the greedy hands of the IRS, if they don't find suitable candidates.

It is pathetic. Bezzo's girlfriend and Harry. That is only for publicity, certainly not for aviation achievement.

I want a prize, too. I have saved many hedgehog's. About 10.

[LRP]

US Army requires both to be qualified and current AH64 pilots.

[lelebebbel]

I can only assume that winning such an award, comes with a certain obligation to make donations towards the foundation that issues it. In that case, choosing one of the richest people on the planet, or a British Prince, is just the logical thing to do. They probably maintain a database of billionaires who have pilots licenses.

[OvertHawk]

This foundation is nothing but a celebrity mutual c@$k sucking society - end of story. Let them get on with it.

What i find most amusing is how tweaked it's got some people on here (and elsewhere). They complain about these people seeking publicity whilst doing nothing but talk about them.

What i do find inappropriate is two very senior military officers chirping up out of retirement and disparaging the service of a junior officer just because they don't like him. That's just bad form.

[RJSteelworth]

The FFA database seems to be missing any record of her having a pilots license.

[[email protected]]

Does a front seater in a Apache actually fly the thing or is he just manning the guns?

William was a bonafide rescue pilot, no?
Yes, he was a bona fide Search and Rescue pilot, I was his Sqn Training Officer and flew his last operational Categorisation Check ride - he was both very competent and greatly liked amongst the crews at Valley.

[griffothefog]

Should have put that on my cv, I might have done better ShyTorque 🥴

[Rigga]

Its a bit like how Buck Rogers has contributed so much to space kennels.