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ConocoPhillips - August 19, 2005 - John and Sue Durbin, who have introduced more than 600 young people to the joy and wonder of flight, were honored at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005. On Wednesday, July 27 they were presented with the Phillips 66 Aviation Leadership Award for their work with the EAA Young Eagles program and their commitment to building awareness and wide appreciation of general aviation.
The EAA Young Eagles program, with the aid of more than 40,000 volunteer pilots, introduces young people to aviation through free demonstration flights, and has flown more than 1,150,000 children since its beginnings in 1992.
Since 1997, the Durbins have been Young Eagles co-coordinators for EAA Chapter 274, based in Decatur, Ill. Together, the Lovington Ill. couple has made Young Eagles a priority in their life and worked diligently toward providing nearly 4,000 Central Illinois children a memorable first flight. John has personally flown over 665 Young Eagles, ages ranging from eight to 17, in his Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Sue helps each young person remember and celebrate their special flight by designing take-home mementos such as photo magnets or Young Eagle identification cards. The couple has also recruited other EAA Chapter 274 members for the Young Eagle program and has provided rewards for pilots at their own expense. Their involvement in Young Eagles has resulted in five young men and two young women moving on to pursue flying as a pastime or career.
“John and Sue Durbin personify the Young Eagles Program -- their passion instills the love of flight to kids who will be the future of aviation,” said Allen Bretz, Director, General Aviation Marketing. “The Phillips 66 Aviation Leadership Award recognizes this extraordinary commitment.”
In support of Young Eagles, ConocoPhillips continues to make it easier for pilots to get young people in the air through the Phillips 66 Aviation Fuel Rebate Program. Since 1994, the program has provided a $1 per gallon avgas rebates to EAA Young Eagles volunteer pilots. Close to 4,000 pilots in the program have purchased aviation gasoline at Phillips 66® Aviation FBOs with a Phillips 66® credit card, fueling flights for 350,000 children.
“We believe that if a child wants to fly, no matter their situation, we will work with their parents and figure out a way to give youngsters their first taste of flight,” said Sue Durbin. “We’re honored that ConocoPhillips has recognized us this way, but we would not be recipients of this award without the members of the Decatur EAA Chapter 274. Their cooperation and enthusiasm for aviation and the Young Eagles is amazing. We are certainly proud to be associated with such dedicated people.”
Besides their involvement in Young Eagles, the Durbins are active in Chapter 274’s Train-A-Pilot Scholarship program and have donated their time, money and talents to develop the program and help it succeed.
ConocoPhillips recognized the Durbins for their aviation participation with an engraved statue presented to them during an EAA AirVenture evening program on Wednesday, July 27.
About ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips is an integrated oil company with interests around the world. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com. PHILLIPS 66 is a trademark of ConocoPhillips Company
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John and Sue Durbin, recipients of this year’s Phillips 66 Leadership award with Allen Bretz (center) General Aviation Marketing Director.
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