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Aero Club of Northern California Mission(s)
We embrace the goals of our parent organization in our efforts to support a vigorous aviation and space program for students at all levels of learning, and to recognize and honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation and space flight.
Learn more about our 2026 Crystal Eagle Awards Recipient MICHAEL J. "Sooch" MASUCCI
Michael J. "Sooch" Masucci, Virgin Galactic Test Pilot/Commercial Astronaut, "A lifetime at the leading edge of flight".
Who We Are
The Aero Club of Northern California was formed to promote activities that advance aviation and aerospace in Northern California.
We are an affiliate of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the oldest national aviation organization in the United States. NAA is the record-keeper for United States aviation.
Membership Contact
Anita Farris
Aero Club of Northern California
rsvp@aeroclubnorcal.org
Mailing address:
Aero Club of Northern California
PO BOX 610234
San Jose, CA 95161-0234
42nd Crystal Eagle Award:
"A Lifetime at the
Leading Edge of flight"
with Astronaut
Michael J. "Sooch" Masucci 
Michael J. "Sooch" Masucci curently serves as Virgin Galactic's Test Pilot and 6th Commercial Astronaut (570th person in space) for the SpaceShip-2 Program. Prior to Virgin Galactic, Michael was a Captain and Check Airman in the Citation-X for XOJet. When active duty in the USAF, Lt Col Masucci was the Squadron Commander for the oldest Military Flying Squadron in the US Military, the 1st Aero Squadron (currently 1st Reconnaissance Sqd) at Beale AFB, CA. He has also served as a USAF Test Pilot and Instructor at Test Piilot School. He is a graduate of the USAF Academy with a degree in Astronautical Engineering, and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering. "Sooch" has amassed over 11,000+ flying hours and flown 80+ aircraft. In 2024, "Sooch" earned the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) "Jimmy" Doolittle Award.
(James "Jimmy" Doolittle was the first ACNC Crystal Eagle Awardee)
The 42nd Crystal Eagle Awards and Scholarship Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 14th, 2026, at the Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, at San Carlos Airport. The cocktail Reception starts at 6:00 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m.
Scholarships will be awarded to several students enrolled in Northern California college and university aviation programs. Dinner ticket prices cover the cost of the event, so we rely upon contributions and Silent Auction bids to fund the scholarships.
The Aero Club first presented the Crystal Eagle Award in 1983 to legendary aviator Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Among past recipients are Gen. Chuck Yeager, Stanley Hiller Jr., Jim Nissen, George Cooper, Jeana Yeager, James S. Ricklefs, Darryl Greenamyer, Clay Lacy, Paul Poberezny, Wayne Handley, Eileen Collins, Sean D. Tucker, Steve Fossett, Brian Shul, C.E. "Bud" Anderson, Julie Clark, Rod Machado, John and Martha King, and Barry Schiff.
Dinner tickets, including museum admission, are $165 per plate. Any excess proceeds go towards student scholarships. Reservations are due by November 7th, 2026 @ 11:59pm. Reservations are required; tickets will not be sold at the door, and attendees can purchase tables reserved for 8 guests. You can further support the Aero Club and the Crystal Eagle Awards by becoming or renewing your Aero Club Membership.
Come join us and help make it a night to remember!
Sincerely,
Pam Svrdlin - President, Aero Club of Northern California
Michelle Tripp - Vice-President, Aero Club of Northern California
board@aeroclubnorcal.org
Our NAA Awardee for 2026 is
Michael Mashack
Michael Mashack is the Founder and Executive Director of Bay Area Urban Eagles (BAUE), a nonprofit organization based in East Palo Alto that connects youth and young adults to aviation and aerospace career pathways. A licensed pilot and former business management consultant, Michael launched BAUE in 2023 to expand access to aviation through hands-on training, mentorship, and workforce exposure. Under his leadership, BAUE has served more than 500 students across the Bay Area, providing ground school instruction, flight experiences, and career exploration opportunities. Michael currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of East Palo Alto and remains committed to building a more inclusive and representative aviation workforce.
| Click to Learn More About Bay Area Urban Eagles! |
Save the date: 14 Nov 2026
Join us on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Hiller Aviation Museum for the 42nd Annual Crystal Eagle Awards and Scholarship Dinner. We are proud to honor Michael J. "Sooch" Masucci, Commercial Astronaut and Test Pilot for Virign Galactic, with the prestigious Crystal Eagle Award. The evening will also celebrate Northern California aviation students with scholarship presentations. Tickets are $160 per person, $130 to sponsor a student seat, or $1,200 for a table of 8. Reservations due by November 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
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Hiller Aviation Museum |
Nov 14, 2026 06:00pm - Nov 14, 2026 09:00pm Add to Google · Outlook Web · Outlook Mobile · Yahoo · iCal |
PLEASE DONATE to the ACNC Scholarship fund benefiting local aviation students (click here)
Previous 2025 Awardee
Aero Club of Northern California Mission(s)
We embrace the goals of our parent organization in our efforts to support a vigorous aviation and space program for students at all levels of learning, and to recognize and honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation and space flight.
Learn more about our 2025 Crystal Eagle Awards Recipient BONNY SIMI
BONNY SIMI, President of Operations at Joby Aviation, "Trailblazing the future of flight".
Who We Are
The Aero Club of Northern California was formed to promote activities that advance aviation and aerospace in Northern California.
We are an affiliate of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the oldest national aviation organization in the United States. NAA is the record-keeper for United States aviation.
Membership Contact
Anita Farris
Aero Club of Northern California
rsvp@aeroclubnorcal.org
Mailing address:
Aero Club of Northern California
PO BOX 610234
San Jose, CA 95161-0234
41st Crystal Eagle Award: "Trailblazing the future of flight" with BONNY SIMI 
The 41st Crystal Eagle Awards and Scholarship Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at the Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, at San Carlos Airport. The cocktail Reception starts at 6:00 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m.
Bonny Simi is Joby Aviation’s President of Operations. Prior to joining the team at Joby, Bonny held several operational and strategic roles at JetBlue within Flight Operations, System Operations, People, Airports, and Customer Support. Most notably, she founded and led JetBlue Technology Ventures. As a pilot, Bonny has commanded Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft at both United Airlines and JetBlue Airways. She is an Emmy-nominated sports reporter and a 3-time Olympian in the sport of Luge.
Scholarships will be awarded to several students enrolled in Northern California college and university aviation programs. Dinner ticket prices cover the cost of the event, so we rely upon contributions and Silent Auction bids to fund the scholarships.
The Aero Club first presented the Crystal Eagle Award in 1983 to legendary aviator Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Among past recipients are Gen. Chuck Yeager, Stanley Hiller Jr., Jim Nissen, George Cooper, Jeana Yeager, James S. Ricklefs, Darryl Greenamyer, Clay Lacy, Paul Poberezny, Wayne Handley, Eileen Collins, Sean D. Tucker, Steve Fossett, Brian Shul, C.E. "Bud" Anderson, Julie Clark, Rod Machado, John and Martha King, and Barry Schiff.
Dinner tickets, including museum admission, are $160 per plate. Reservations are due by November 8th, 2025 @ 11:59pm. Reservations are required; tickets will not be sold at the door, and attendees can purchase tables reserved for 8 guests. You can further support the Aero Club and the Crystal Eagle Awards by becoming or renewing your Aero Club Membership.
Come join us and help make it a night to remember!
Sincerely,
Pam Svrdlin - President, Aero Club of Northern California
Michelle Tripp - Vice-President, Aero Club of Northern California
board@aeroclubnorcal.org
Our NAA Awardee for 2025 is
Gerry Fairbairn
Gerry’s passion for aviation began in junior high, reading Flying magazine and riding his bike to the local airport where he washed and waxed airplanes to earn flying time. He pursued an Aeronautics degree at San Jose State, becoming a flight instructor by his junior year and logging over 3,000 hours before enlisting in the Air Force. There, he worked as a project engineer and co-founded the Eglin AFB aero club. After earning an MBA from San Diego State, Gerry returned to San Jose State as a faculty member where he shifted focus toward aviation management and pioneered the use of computer-based simulations in education. He also earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Santa Clara University. Later, he served as Academic Vice President at Daniel Webster College before returning to teaching where he launched the University Aviation Association’s Aviation Policy Seminar and helped establish the Council on Aviation Accreditation (now AABI), serving as its first chair. He concluded his career as professor and department chair of aviation at Westminster College in Utah, continuing his lifelong dedication to advancing aviation education.
PLEASE DONATE to the ACNC Scholarship fund benefiting local aviation students (click here)
2024 Awardee, Capt Joe Sobzcak
