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AIA News 2005

Walter J. Boyne Named Lyman Award Winner

December 14, 2005

Walter J. Boyne, author of 40 books and former director of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, is the winner of the 2005 Lauren D. Lyman Award for excellence in aviation journalism.

Boyne is honored for an aviation writing career that spans more than 30 years after he retired from a career as an Air Force officer with 5,000 hours of flying time.

His books include "The Wild Blue," "The Smithsonian Book of Flight," "The Leading Edge," "Power Behind the Wheel," and Airpower; an International Encyclopedia. He is one of the few people to have New York Times bestsellers in fiction ("The Wild Blue") and non-fiction ("Weapons of Desert Storm"). Boyne also hosted and narrated video productions of two of his books, "Beyond the Wild Blue" and "Clash of Wings."

In addition to his writing, Boyne served as chairman of the Wingspan, the Air and Space Aviation Channel. He was named director of the Air and Space Museum in 1983 and founded Air and Space magazine.

The award is named after Lauren "Deac" Lyman, a Pulitzer-prize winning aviation reporter with the New York Times who later had a distinguished career as a public relations executive with United Aircraft, a predecessor to the United Technologies Corp. First awarded in 1972, the prize goes to a journalist or public relations professional in aviation who exhibits Lyman's high standard of excellence. UTC is the long-time sponsor of the award.

Boyne received the award during AIA's 41st Annual Year-End Review and Forecast luncheon Wednesday.

AIA succeeds the Aviation/Space Writers Association, and later the Society of Aerospace Communicators, in stewardship of the award and presented it for the first time this year. Past Winners of the Lyman Award: Pierre Sparaco (2002), Jim Holahan (2000), Carole Shifrin (1999),William Schoneberger (1998), Arthur Reed (1996), Jim Woolsey (1994), Philip Geddes (1993), Joseph Murphy (1992), Edward Kolcum (1991), John Taylor (1990), Philip Klass (1989); Robert Serling (1988); Howard Benedict (1987); KennethWeaver (1986); Dick Witkin (1985); C.V. Glines (1984); Leighton Collins (1982); Marvin Miles (1981); Eric Bramley (1980); Jerry Hannifin (1979); Devon Francis (1978); George Haddaway (1977); Vern Haugland (1976);Willis Player (1975); Bob Hotz (1974); and Wayne Parrish (1973).
 

Scott Seligman (left), director of public relations at United Technologies Corporation, with Walter J. Boyne, noted author, aerospace historian, and former director of the National Air and Space Museum. Boye is winner of the 2005 Lauren D. Lyman Award, which is sponsored by AIA member United Technologies Corporation to an outastanding journalist or communications executive. The award was presented by AIA Dec. 14 at the association's 41st annual Year-End Review and Forecast Luncheon in Arlington, Va.

Walter J. Boyne, winner of the 2005 Lauren D. Lyman Award, with Carole Shifrin, the 1999 award recipient. Boyne received the award Dec. 14 at the association's 41st annual Year-End Review and Forecast Luncheon in Arlington, Va.