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RV-8 Pilot Receives Citation Award

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) will recognize retired Northwest Airlines Capt. Terry Lutz with a 2007 Presidential Citation Award, the Association’s honor for outstanding work in aviation safety, for his dedication to improving safety through his work with major aircraft manufacturers in the development of several types of aircraft. This award will be presented on August 9 at ALPA’s 53rd Annual Air Safety & Security Week and Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C.

“Capt. Lutz literally put all of his considerable experience to the test during these flights to ensure various aircrafts’ safety for his fellow pilots and the traveling public,” said ALPA President, Capt. John Prater. “That kind of dedication to safety efforts deserves our respect and recognition. His work has helped make air travel safer around the world.”

As an ALPA representative, Lutz conducted operations evaluations of the B-777-300, B-777-300ER, B-717, B-767-400ER, A-330-200, A-340-500, A-318, and the EMB170. While serving as the Aircraft Development and Operations (ADO) Group Chairman, ALPA’s representative to the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, Lutz worked to educate his fellow pilots on subjects such as throttle-only-control and steep approaches. And post 9/11, Lutz served as ALPA’s representative to the major aircraft manufacturers in evaluating counter-terrorist aircraft maneuvering.

“Awarding Terry with the Presidential Citation Award is the least we could do to thank him for his efforts to improve airline safety,” said NWA Master Executive Council Chairman Capt. Dave Stevens. “All ALPA pilots, especially NWA pilots, thank Terry for his hard work and dedication.”

Since Lutz began flying in 1967, he has flown 134 different types of aircraft, qualified as aircraft commander in 44, and accumulated more than 13,500 hours of flying time. After retiring from Northwest in 2006, Lutz joined the flight test team at Airbus in Toulouse, France. He is currently conducting operational evaluations of all models of Airbus aircraft. Lutz also holds membership in the Order of Daedalians, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents more than 60,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org for more information.

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