ABS and the Air Safety Foundation are pleased to announce the first person to earn the lifetime ABS Master Aviator Award, for earning the sixth and highest level of ABS AVIATOR: Mark H. Eberly, of Carmel, Indiana. Mark flies an F33A Bonanza and has been an ABS member since 1988. Mark writes: "The ABS AVIATOR program is a great program to keep engaged in on-going learning, and even though I have reached the highest level I plan to continue to use the program as a plan for my annual recurrent training."

Six other members have earned the ABS Master Aviator award in this, the first month of eligibility:

ABS introduced the ABS AVIATOR program in late 2005 to encourage ABS members to take advantage of the great variety of safety instruction available to them, and to make lifelong learning a standard part of the way they fly. Several insurance carriers now offer up to a 5% discount to members who earn a level of ABS AVIATOR, adding a financial benefit to the increase in safety. Members may earn two levels of ABS AVIATOR in the first year, then one additional level per year after that. A member who earns ABS AVIATOR for a sixth time--representing at least five years of continuing education--is named an ABS Master Aviator. This designation is a lifetime award good for as long as the pilot remains a member of ABS.

For more about the ABS AVIATOR program here, and check on your current points status and the date you're eligible for your next level here.