Come join the SFAS for an evening of laughter during the special screening of the 1980 classic comedy Airplane!  Starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen, the film is about an ex-fighter pilot afraid to fly, and who must land a passenger plane after the crew gets food poisoning. The film will be shown at San Francisco International Airport in the Aviation Museum and Library on Thursday, April 09, 2026, at 530PM (doors open at 500pm) and there will be free popcorn, candy and refreshments.

The museum is located on the Departures Level of the International Terminal.

This event is open to the public and free of charge.

Free tickets can be obtained on a first come, first serve basis by completing the online reservation form below.

For additional information please contact Cecilia Cordero, SFAS Administrator

T: (415) 405-5976

Email: ccordero@sfaero.org

When Angela Gittens stepped onto the stage at the San Francisco Aeronautical
Society’s (SFAS) Annual Gala Dinner, the crowd rose with warmth and excitement. The
applause wasn’t just for her extraordinary career — it was for her homecoming, to the
very airport where it all began.

“Angela began her aviation career at SFO in 1983 and went on to lead two major U.S.
airports and serve as Director General of Airports Council International,” said John L.
Martin, President of the Aeronautical Society Board. “Her leadership helped shape the
future of global air travel, with lasting impact on safety, service, and professional
development across the industry.”

The Society’s 2025 Annual Achievement in Aviation Award celebrated Gittens’s lifetime
of leadership, mentorship, and trailblazing achievements in airport management.

“A Dazzling Business of Aviation”

Accepting the award beneath the gleaming art deco arches of the Louis A. Turpen
Aviation Museum, Gittens was both gracious and funny. “It’s been an honor and a
pleasure to serve on the San Francisco Aeronautical Society Board,” she said with a
grin. “But I assure you, I had no hand in deciding to give me this award!”

She dedicated the honor to her mentor and the museum’s namesake, Louis A. Turpen,
who “brought me into this dazzling business of aviation and mentored me into positions
and success beyond my tenure at SFO.”

Then came one of the night’s most memorable moments — a “Turpenism” that drew
laughter across the room. “Sometimes one has to be stealthy. They’ll never know what
happened until the rabbit dies,” she recalled. “It taught me you can’t always drive
straight to the goal — but you must stay focused on it.”

Leading With Purpose

From her start at SFO to leading airports in Atlanta and Miami, and then
guiding Airports Council International, Gittens’ impact has stretched across continents.
“It takes every sector within the aviation ecosystem to get results,” she said. “People
dedicated to ensuring that the world’s communities reap the benefits that aviation
brings.”

Martin reflected on what makes her leadership unique. “Angela has an extraordinary
ability to bring people together — from regulators to airport teams to international
leaders — and help them find shared purpose,” he said. “She reminds us that aviation
is, at its heart, about connection.”

The Values That Lift Us

To close her speech, Gittens turned personal. “My parents instilled in me a strong sense
of integrity — work hard, do a good job, and be kind,” she said. Now aged 107 and 108,
and recently recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-married couple in
the world, she smiled and added, “Doesn’t hurt to have good genes!”

Martin summed up what many in the room felt.  “Angela embodies the very best of what
this award represents,” he said. “Her career reflects not only professional excellence,
but the courage, generosity, and mentorship that lifts others. She’s an inspiration to all
of us — and especially here at SFO, where her journey first took flight.”

Congratulations Angela Gittens!

 

By Vanessa Guerra

The San Francisco Aeronautical Society’s Annual Gala soared to new heights this year — a sold-out evening that raised more than $123,000, setting a new record to support the Society’s mission of preserving aviation history.

Held inside the SFO Museum, which celebrated its 25th anniversary, the event drew aviation leaders, industry professionals, and longtime supporters for a night of celebration, storytelling, and community spirit.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous filet mignon dinner before a spirited live auction featuring a one-week stay in a two-bedroom condo in Hawaii, a trip to Seattle, a round of golf for four at the Olympic Club, tickets to a 49ers game and so much more! 

Honoring 25 Years of the SFO Museum

Kicking off the evening, John L. Martin, President of the San Francisco Aeronautical Society Board, welcomed guests and reflected on the Museum’s enduring impact. “Tonight, we celebrate a remarkable milestone—25 years of the San Francisco Aviation Museum at SFO,” Martin said. “Through exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships, the Museum has inspired generations to explore the world of flight.”

Jennifer McCabe, Director and Chief Curator of the SFO Museum, followed with an inspiring look back at the Museum’s origins and the people who made it possible. “Tonight, we mark 25 years of imagination, courage, and curiosity,” McCabe said. “This museum exists because people believed an airport could be more than a place of transit — it could be a place of transformation.”

She credited Louis A. Turpen for envisioning the museum within SFO’s international terminal and the San Francisco Aeronautical Society for turning that vision into reality. “Angela Gittens helped lay the foundation for the partnership we’re celebrating tonight — a partnership that made this museum possible,” McCabe added, honoring this year’s award recipient and Society Board member.

Honoring Angela Gittens

The night’s highlight was the presentation of the 2025 Achievement in Aviation Award to Angela Gittens, a trailblazer whose career has spanned leadership roles at SFO, Atlanta, Miami, and the Airports Council International. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve on the San Francisco Aeronautical Society Board,” Gittens said with a smile. “But I assure you, I had no hand in deciding to give me this award!”

She dedicated the honor to Louis A. Turpen, who mentored her early in her career. “He brought me into this dazzling business of aviation and mentored me into positions and success beyond my tenure at SFO,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Gittens emphasized teamwork and purpose. “It takes every sector within the aviation ecosystem to achieve safety, security, customer service, environmental responsibility, and economic vitality,” she said.

A Night of Community and Inspiration

With record-breaking fundraising, moving tributes, and a shared passion for preserving aviation’s legacy, the 2025 SFAS Gala proved that the spirit of flight — and of community — continues to soar.

As Martin said in closing: “We are grateful that you have joined us tonight to honor Angela and to support our Aviation Museum and the Aeronautical Society in its mission to preserve aviation history.”

The San Francisco Aeronautical Society’s future looks as bright as its past — powered by visionaries, volunteers, and believers in the power of flight.

 

Written By Vanessa Guerra

The San Francisco Aeronautical Society is excited to present a special screening of the 2002 comedy classic Catch Me If You Can staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.   The film will be shown at San Francisco International Airport in the Aviation Museum and Library on June 10, 2025, at 6:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm) and the event is open to the public, free of charge.  In addition, validated parking will be provided.

The museum is located on the Departures Level of the International Terminal.

Free tickets can be obtained by completing the online reservation form below.

For additional information please contact Cecilia Cordero, SFAS Administrator

T: (415) 405-5976;

Email: ccordero@sfaero.org

A large crowd gathered at the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum to honor this year’s Achievement in Aviation Award recipient, Sara Nelson. Known for her passionate advocacy and unwavering commitment to workers’ rights, Nelson has become a pivotal figure in steering the aviation industry toward a more equitable future. Her career, which began as a flight attendant, has blossomed into a beacon of hope for many in the aviation sector.

A Night to Remember

The evening was filled with excitement and elegance. Gala participants dressed in their evening attire and adorned with bright smiles, eagerly awaited Nelson’s arrival. The atmosphere was electric, with anticipation building to hear from the guest of honor herself.  “I’m thrilled that we are honoring a woman like Sara Nelson; she’s an inspiration to us all. I admire her passion,” Gala attendee Jocelyn Miller said.

SFAS President John Martin gave a welcome speech highlighting the World Wings International Members in attendance, the recent acquisition and donation of historic flight attendant uniforms to the SFO Museum, and the Pan Am film collection!   Samuel Scott, the Curator of Collections, Aviation at SFO Museum, gave a moving speech celebrating flight attendants as often the “unsung heroes” of the aviation industry. His words resonated with many, highlighting the crucial yet often overlooked contributions of those who ensure our safety and comfort in the skies.

The fun continued with a savory dinner, and a lively fund raiser auction with enticing prizes. Attendees bid on sought-after experiences such as a round of golf for four at the prestigious Olympic Club, round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska and Hawaiian airlines, and a Napa Valley Wine Country adventure.

The Importance of the Pan Am Film Collection, raising funds to digitize

In addition to honoring Nelson, the SFAS spotlighted another of its significant initiatives: the preservation of the Pan Am film collection acquired last year, thanks to Edward Trippe, chairman of the Pan Am Historical Foundation. The donation of an estimated 700 titles and footage spanning over six decades, from 1927 through 1991 to the SFO museum is intended for public sharing and as such, needs to be digitized and safeguarded for generations to come.  Thanks to the generosity of those attending the event, a significant amount of money was raised during the Fund-A-Need paddle raise that will be put towards these efforts.   To read more about the Pan Am film donation and learn how you can contribute to this vital preservation effort, click here (insert link https://sfaero.org/event/movie-night-at-sfo-pan-am-on-film/).

SFAS would like to express its gratitude to all of the generous sponsors and donors who made the evening such a memorable one.  The Society also invites all who share its mission to help preserve the history of aviation through educational programs and acquisition of artifacts to become members and get involved.  Be sure to follow The Society on social media and visit our website  www.sfaero.org for the latest news, information, activities, and to donate. Together, let’s continue to honor the past while celebrating the achievements of today.

The Society will be holding its annual gala and fund raising event themed Salute the Crew, Celebrating the Flight Attendant on Thursday November 7, 2024. The evening will recognize the key role flight attendants have played in commercial aviation history in protecting and promoting aviation safety and in being the face of the aviation industry for travelers.

The evening will include a gala dinner followed by a remarkable program paying tribute to Achievement in Aviation Award recipient, Sara Nelson, CEO, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), in recognition of her outstanding service as a leader in the aviation industry.

We hope that you will join us for this dynamic, exclusive evening with prestigious aviation leaders and to  support the SFAS.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023

A large crowd of aviation enthusiasts gathered at the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum at SFO to honor this year’s Achievement in Aviation Award recipient Edward Trippe, chairman of the Pan Am Historical Foundation and son of Pan Am founder Juan T. Trippe. This year’s award was presented to Trippe by William R. Hearst III, the Society’s 2022 award recipient and long-time aviation preservation supporter.

Trippe delivered a moving speech about Pan Am’s storied past and announced some very exciting news: The Pan Am Historical Foundation is donating its entire film archive to the SFO museum for preservation and to be shared with the public. This impressive collection includes an estimated 700 titles and footage from over 6 decades, specifically from 1927 through 1991. “The collection is extraordinary and includes hundreds of hours going back to the early days of the company… included are travel logs of almost every country served by Pan Am, engineering and maintenance films, advertising materials, flight training videos, mechanical issues, and rare footage of Pan Am at war,” Trippe said.

Trippe added that the collection “couldn’t have a better home,” than at the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum at SFO. “I’m delighted that it will be available for future generations and will be well taken care of.”

In addition to this amazing film archive donation, Trippe said that he was pleased to announce a matching grant of $100,000 as an initial contribution in a proposed partnership with the San Francisco Aeronautical Society. “It is our hope that this pledge will be a catalyst to raise significant endowment for the preservation and management of the film collection going forward,” Trippe explained.

“The Pan Am film collection is a veritable treasure trove of aviation history.” Pan Am paved the way for air travel as we know it today and this film collection tells their story of courage, innovation and leadership. We are grateful for this generous donation and look forward to working with the SFO Museum to make this content available for the public to enjoy,” San Francisco Aeronautical Society’s  President John L. Martin said. He also pledged to raise an additional $100,000 donation to match the Pan Am Historical Foundation donation.

After the award and exciting news about the donation and grant, a lively auction was held to raise funds for the SFAS.  Prizes included airline tickets, hotel stays and a great sports package including a pair of Warrior tickets and a two-night weekend stay at San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis hotel in Union Square.

 

Written By Vanessa Guerra

Please use the link below to make a donation, which will help SFAS continue to preserve aviation history:

Proceeds from the Gala Dinner enable SFAS to continue its efforts to preserve the history of aviation through educational programs and acquisition of artifacts for the permanent collection at SFO Museum.