News

Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award presented

By Scott Wagar

10/08/2013

After piloting an airplane for over 50 years without an incident Owen Kornkven has been recognized with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which took place at Bottineau’s airport on Sept. 14 during its Fly-In Breakfast.

The Federal Aviation Administration grants the Master Pilot Award to individuals “who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 or more years.”  

Kornkven started flying in high school. He took his first flight lesson in June of 1954 with Leonard Kreck of Rolla as his flight instructor.  

Unfortunate for Kornkven, even though he enjoyed flying and was excited about getting his private pilot’s licence, he found himself short of cash to take the lessons he needed to earn his license.

However, Kornkven was determined to gain his license and worked hard and saved the money to take his flight lessons. On March 15, 1960, seven years after his first lesson, Kornkven earned his pilot’s license with a total of 80 hours of flight time.    

Since that time, Kornkven has flown over 10,000 hours in his 57 year career as a pilot.

“I have always enjoyed it,” Kornkven said. “I’ve been doing it since I was very young and just enjoy flying.”  

The recipients of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award receive a certificate and lapel pin. The pilots are also recognized with having their names on the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award’s Roll of Honor, which presently holds 2,594 names.

The Roll of Honor can be seen at www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterPilot/RecipientList.aspx