Lauren Sánchez Soars to New Heights With Prestigious Aviation Honor
Aviation trailblazer Lauren Sánchez continues to reach dazzling new heights. The serial entrepreneur and helicopter pilot extraordinaire has just received the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award from the Living Legends of Aviation organization. The honor, which was presented during a glamorous ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, recognizes Sánchez’s remarkable achievements and contributions to the field of vertical flight.
Sánchez attended the star-studded gala solo, looking every inch the aviation goddess in a figure-hugging black gown and opera-length gloves that highlighted her dazzling 30-carat engagement ring from fiancé Jeff Bezos. While the Amazon mogul himself was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, the audience overflowed with adoration for Sánchez as she accepted her award with infectious enthusiasm and humility.
“I’m so incredibly honored and thrilled beyond words,” Sánchez gushed in her acceptance speech. “This award means the absolute world to me.”
The trailblazing pilot went on to thank her supportive family and joked that it was “about time” more women were inducted into the still predominantly male-dominated Vertical Flight Hall of Fame organization. Out of over 220 current members, only 10 are women so far.
“Hopefully this inspires more young girls to pursue their aviation dreams,” Sánchez added gracefully.
Throughout her decades-long career, Sánchez has indeed inspired countless aspiring female pilots. The California native first caught the flying bug from her pilot father at a young age. Although she initially set her sights on becoming a flight attendant, it wasn’t long before Sánchez realized her true passion laid in piloting the aircraft herself.
“I don’t want to be a stewardess. I want to be the pilot!” a young Sánchez boldly declared.
After paying her dues as a news anchor and entertainment reporter for years, Sánchez finally took a leap of faith in 2016 to launch Black Ops Aviation, one of the first woman-owned aerial filming companies. Today, she splits her time flying major Hollywood film productions and jet-setting to exotic locales with her famous fiancé.
“Flying is my passion and this [award] is truly such an honor,” wrote an elated Sánchez in an Instagram post following the ceremony. “You also have no idea how happy you made my dad who has been a pilot since I was a little girl.”
In addition to the new Hall of Fame honor, Sánchez’s mantel at home is already lined with countless aviation accolades over the years. However, receiving this particular distinction from the Living Legends of Aviation is an especially proud milestone for the pilot.
“This is a really big deal for me,” shared an emotional Sánchez with reporters. “My father has always been my greatest inspiration, so to be inducted into the same organization as him means everything.”
Indeed, Sánchez’s father Ray Sánchez and her brother Michael Sánchez are both honored members of the Living Legends themselves. Now, Lauren Sánchez soars into the history books to join her family’s legacy in aviation greatness. We raise a champagne glass to salute this sensational woman breaking barriers in the wild blue yonder!
