OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN — August 8, 2008
LAMA created the President’s Award in 1991 to recognize outstanding leaders in the light aircraft community. Every year at AirVenture Oshkosh, LAMA presents the award to a new winner to provide recognition to the people who make the aircraft kits, factory built aircraft like light-sport aircraft, those who supply products and services for light aviation, and individuals or government personnel who have shown exemplary service to light aviation.
 This year over 850 individuals, companies, associations, and government entities in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa were contacted for nominations. More than 200 people responded from all over the world nominating 90 persons. The winner is the person receiving the most nominations.
Making the award, LAMA Chairman of the Board and President, Dan Johnson, said, “For the first time in 17 years, a European has received the most nominations This year’s winner is Matthias Betsch. His company, Flight Design, produces the CT line of special light-sport airplanes in Germany. CTs are the most popular factory-built light-sport airplanes in the United States.”
Matthias began flying as a teenager, and he has credits as a hang gliding, paragliding and microlight aircraft instructor. In 1988 he formed Flight Design, which became a leading manufacturer of paragliders. After evaluating small-aircraft design based on microlight rules, Flight Design began work on the state-of-the-art CT in 1994. The CT was certified in Germany in 1997, in most of Europe by 1999, and in the United States as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft in 2005. This year an upgraded CTLS model was certified and the company announced its new MC (Metal Concept) aircraft at AirVenture. This aircraft was also selected by EAA to be the organization’s Membership Sweepstakes airplane for 2008/2009. Matthias’s dedication to sport aviation and the success of his company’s products and services has resulted in a major contribution to recreational aviation worldwide.
 “LAMA congratulates Matthias Betsch on being the 2008 winner of the LAMA President’s Award,” said Larry Burke Founder and Chairman Emeritus of LAMA. “We are pleased to present Matthias with a plaque to take home, and the permanent trophy with your name on it will be on display in the EAA Air Museum.
LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is the light aviation industry’s trade association. Founded in 1984, LAMA represents nearly 100 members of the Light-Sport Aircraft business community including airframe manufacturers; producers of engines, avionics, and components; suppliers, distributors; flight schools; and other aviation businesses.
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