In his first year of teaching aviation, Chuck Manning was named the Aviation Educator of the Year.
"I didn't even know anything about the award," said Manning. "For that matter, I didn't know such an award existed."
The Montana Aeronautics Division of the Montana Department of Transportation in Helena gave the award to Manning Feb. 27 due to his commitment and participation with the aviation class and club, and his reliability and helpfulness in the school.
"He's done so much in the last school year," said the Chief of the Safety and Education Bureau, Jeanne Lesnik. Career Center adviser Craig Hunnicutt, biology teacher Jerry Hok and Manning "spent a lot of time working together on exploring the Aviation Club. Chuck (and Hunnicutt) started the club last April and has taken the club on a lot of field trips," said Lesnik.
The Montana Aeronautics Division gives this award once a year to one individual. Manning is part of a select group that has received this honor.
For the past four-and-a-half years, the honor hasn't been awarded because no one held the position of Chief of Safety Education.
"We haven't given the award for awhile because no one's had the job that gives the award for about two years," said Lesnik. "I didn't know about it the first year I took the job."
Manning has studied aeronautics for over 30 years, but just received his pilot's license in 1995. His recent recognition is the first award for aeronautics that Manning has received, and was honored with a plaque.
"I guess I attribute the award to all the time I spent on" the class, said Manning. "I was pretty honored."
Manning has been part of the Montana Pilots Association in the Flathead for two to three years, and coordinated Aviation Day for the past two years.
"I was involved with Aviation Day and promoting kids to (have a) better understand the world of aviation," said Manning.
Said Lesnik: "Chuck is a great spokesperson for aviation and careers in our state."