Flying Legends: Clay Lacy Honored with Spirit of Aviation Award at Pearl Harbor

Clay Lacy: Aviation Icon Honored with the Spirit of Aviation Award

On December 23, 2025, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum held a special ceremony to honor renowned aviator Clay Lacy with the coveted Spirit of Aviation Award. This recognition celebrates Lacy’s extraordinary impact on the aviation world, highlighting his professional achievements and contributions to the industry.

Clay Lacy, a legend in his own right, has made a name for himself as a visionary pilot, an innovator, and a mentor. His journey in aviation began at a tender age of 12 in Wichita, Kansas, where he started flying. By the age of 16, he was already a certified flight instructor, showcasing his natural talent and passion for flying. Over the years, Lacy has accumulated an astonishing 50,000 hours of flight time, which translates to approximately six years of continuous flying. He is known to have flown over 300 different types of aircraft and has achieved a remarkable 29 world speed records.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum CEO John Hiltz, expressing admiration for Lacy, stated, "As an industry visionary, aviator, innovator, mentor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Clay has inspired generations of pilots. His professionalism, leadership, and kindness have earned him countless friends in the industry." This sentiment reflects Lacy’s warm character and the profound respect he commands among his peers.

Throughout his illustrious career, Clay Lacy has pioneered many firsts in aviation. He became a captain at United Airlines in 1952 while flying Douglas DC-3 airliners. One year later, he joined the California Air National Guard, where he piloted North American F-86 Sabre fighter jets. Lacy retired from United Airlines in 1992, having achieved the extraordinary milestone of holding the No. 1 seniority among pilots. In 1968, he founded Clay Lacy Aviation, marking the establishment of the first executive jet charter company in the western United States. Under his direction, the company expanded to boast the largest and most diverse fleet of charter aircraft in the nation.

Amy Schipke, a fellow pilot and friend, spoke about Lacy’s remarkable ability to adapt to and master any aircraft, saying, "Nobody understands an airplane the way he does—from the construction to the mechanics and their limits. He can sit in a plane, whether he knows the aircraft or not, and fly it flawlessly. He is simply the most prolific pilot ever."

Lacy’s contributions to aviation extend beyond mere piloting; he has transformed the art of air-to-air cinematography with his groundbreaking Learjet Astrovision system. This innovation allowed him to film over 300 movies, including iconic classics like Top Gun and The Right Stuff. Additionally, he organized charitable flights that have raised millions for various causes, emphasizing his commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy.

Among his notable charitable endeavors was the