The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) today is honoring three individuals in the business and general aviation community with its 2018 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award: Gulfstream Aerospace president Mark Burns, Business & Commercial Aviation editor-in-chief William Garvey, and King Schools founders John and Martha King.

The Distinguished Statesman award, to be presented during the association’s Fall Awards Ceremony, honors “outstanding Americans who, by their efforts over an extended period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.”

Burns, who also is vice president of General Dynamics, has served with the Savannah, Georgia manufacturer since 1983, beginning as a computer-aided design operator. Since that time he’s held numerous roles in engineering, product support, and customer support, becoming president in July 2015. He has played a key role in the G500 and G600 development and certification programs and has overseen the increase in sales and production of Gulfstream aircraft.

Garvey’s career has spanned numerous aviation publications, including as associate editor of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) magazine, editor of Professional Pilot magazine, and editor-in-chief of Flying magazine, in addition to his time as a senior editorial staff member at Reader’s Digest. He further has authored numerous books, including “The Age of Flight, and managed communications for FlightSafety International.

John and Martha King established King Schools in 1974 to expand the reach of aviation education through the use of multimedia and technology. Champions of risk-management practices, the Kings speak to thousands of pilots each year on aviation safety.