ASA President Earns W.W. Estridge Award

Honor recognizes industry representatives who have made significant contributions to collegiate aviation education.

Greg Robbins [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]

Learning to fly is one of the more intense and fulfilling academic endeavors a person can undertake. Behind every flight student there is a cadre of instructors, including those who create the materials that make learning possible. 

Greg Robbins, president of Aviation Supplies & Academics, has been recognized for his efforts by the University Aviation Association as this year’s recipient of the W.W. Estridge Award.

The award was created to recognize industry representatives who have made significant contributions to collegiate aviation education while being actively involved in the UAA. To be nominated, a person must be working in aviation and have distinguished themselves as a strong supporter of aviation education.

Robbins has been with ASA for 16 years, first as a salesman and then in 2022 became the owner of the company. In addition to overseeing one of the larger aviation education suppliers in the country, he also holds a commercial pilot certificate with multiengine, instrument, and seaplane ratings.

About the Award

The award is named for former American Airlines Captain Walter W. Estridge Jr., described as a distinguished aviator and advocate for collegiate aviation education.

Estridge flew in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, and Korean War. After separating from the military he went to work at American Airlines, working with the air carrier for 31 years as a pilot  and instructor. He accumulated approximately 25,000 flight hours.

Outside of the cockpit, Estridge worked with the Air Transport Association (ATA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) training committees. He was recognized for this with the IATA’s Brevet Award, as Estridge predicted that colleges and universities would soon play a vital role in the creation of airline pilots. That award was created to honor those who continue to forge the link between aviation education and industry leaders who rely on the learners coming out of colleges and universities.

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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