Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team Manager Dwayne Hudson (front left) gets ready to present Mike Pharis (right) with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Ricky Manning and Corey Pharis are standing behind Hudson. (Islander staff photo)
By Pamela Permar-Shierling
It’s a big deal and this week Brunswick’s Mike Pharis received it. It’s one of the most prestigious awards the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can grant.
Pharis, a Brunswick High graduate, was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award by the FAA during a ceremony at Glynco-Manning Aviation at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.
Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team Manager Dwayne Hudson presented Pharis with the Award on Monday in recognition of 50 years of safe flying.
Hudson said presenting the Wright Brothers Award was the most rewarding part of his job. “It is a special day when I can present this award to someone who has flown impeccably for 50 years,” he said.
Pharis began flying at the air park in Brunswick where Glynn County Stadium now sits.
Many local pilots including David and Ricky Manning, now owners of Manning Aviation, started at the Air Park. Their father, Frank Manning along with R. H. Thompson ran Transcontinental Aviation out of the Air Park.
Pharis fell in love with flying very early and credits George Perry, Perry Fying Services, for allowing him to fly his planes.
“I pumped gas to earn money for flying lessons,” Pharis said.
When Glynn County took over the airport in Brunswick there were some pretty big changes, Pharis said. “I was one of the first ones to land at Brunswick Airport.”
Pharis spent 20 years in the Army maintaining helicopters and retiring in 1997.
When asked if he ever considered flying commercial planes, he said no he liked the little planes better.
“I am fortunate to get to do what I have wanted to do,” Pharis said. “And George (Perry) made it all possible.”
Pharis’ grandson Corey was on hand to pin the award on his grandfather.
