A Washington native returned home Saturday afternoon to receive a prestigious award from the Federal Aviation Administration. In a special ceremony held at the Daviess County Museum, Phil Martin, a 1972 graduate of Washington High School, was awarded the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Martin’s career in aviation began at the Daviess County Airport, where the late Ray Clark encouraged him to take flying lessons. Martin said he originally did not consider going to college but was encouraged to attend by his teachers at WHS and was awarded an Air Force ROTC scholarship. After graduating from Indiana University, where he was Cadet Colonel, Martin became an Air Force pilot, rising to the rank of Major. He then became an instructor with the Air Force’s Euro-NATO joint jet pilot training program. Upon leaving the Air Force, Martin became a jet instructor pilot for the U.S. Navy. Later, he taught aviation at Indiana State, the University of Illinois, and Ohio State University. Martin then became a training center evaluater. Since retirement, Martin has continued flying personal aircraft. Martin was presented the Master Pilot Award by FAA representative Christopher House of the Indianapolis FSDO. Martin and his wife, Royce Ann, said they chose to have the award presented in Washington because “that is where Phil got his start.”
Photo: Phil Martin, a local native now living in Ohio, received a special master pilot award from the FAA.
