50 years of flying: Flowery Branch pilot wins prestigious aviation award, shares experience searching for Russian submarines in Navy - Gainesville Times

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50 years of flying: Flowery Branch pilot wins prestigious aviation award, shares experience searching for Russian submarines in Navy

Sid Smith of Flowery Branch just received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the highest award presented by the Federal Aviation Administration. It is only given to those with a spotless flying record of 50 or more years. He also happens to be a national triathlon award winner. - photo by Scott Rogers

10302020 PILOT 1.jpg — Sid Smith of Flowery Branch just received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the highest award presented by the Federal Aviation Administration. It is only given to those with a spotless flying record of 50 or more years. He also happens to be a national triathlon award winner. - photo by Scott Rogers

During his childhood, Sid Smith of Flowery Branch said he would gaze longingly at planes in the sky, hoping he would one day pilot his own aircraft.