Balchen/Post Award
The purpose of this award is to promote excellence in snow and ice control and to recognize those individuals responsible for outstanding performance. It is presented each year at the International Aviation Snow Symposium (IASS) honoring airports in the commercial, general aviation and military categories.
The award initially was named solely after Col. Bernt Balchen. A native of Norway, he had a distinguished career in aviation, particularly in pioneering Arctic exploration. He was the first person to pilot an aircraft over both poles. Eventually Balchen moved to the United States. He became a US citizen and served in the US Air Force. Balchen was a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, among many of his recognitions. Col. Balchen was a great supporter of the NEC. He was one of the founding members of IASS and served as the honorary chairman of the Symposium.
The first Balchen Award was presented at the IASS in 1977, honoring the airport crews for their efforts during the '76-'77 winter season. At the IASS in 1997, Wiley Post Jr.'s name was added, to honor his contributions. The award was renamed to Col. Bernt Balchen / Wiley Post Jr. Award
Mr. Post served as the manager of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Airport (ABE) for 35 years. He was also one of the founding members of the IASS, serving as chairman of the first Snow Symposium that he hosted at ABE in 1967. Post is celebrated for his dedicated service to the IASS and NEC that spanned 30 years.
NEC is proud to administer the prestigious Balchen/Post Award and to carry the tradition of recognizing airports and hard working snow crews.
AWARD CRITERIA
To be considered for an award, an airport may be recommended by a user or users of the airport, or make direct application.
In the selection process, the committee will give careful consideration to the following:
- Degree of in-depth preparedness:
- Snow and ice control plan, equipment readiness, personnel training, overall safety awareness
- Effectiveness of snow and ice control program:
- Aeronautical areas
- Runways
- Taxiways
- Aprons
- Ramps
- Runway/taxiway lighting
- Signs
- Timeliness and accuracy of communications during the snow and ice control effort with:
- The airlines
- General aviation
- The public
- The FAA
- Other airport users
- Post-storm activity:
AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE:
Tim Haizlip, MPA, C.M.
Chairman
Richard Brannan
Denver International Airport
Adam Williams
Aircraft Owner & Pilots Association
Regional Airline Association
Alex Gertsen, C.M.
National Business Aviation Association
Richard P. DeiTos, Jr.
Metropolitan Washington
Airlines Committee
Andrew Sousa / Captain Jeffrey Sedin
Air Line Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Preston Benedyk, DAF
Tyndall AFB
Megan Eisenstein
National Air Transportation Association
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