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

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.

The San Francisco Aeronautical Society would like to thank all of its sponsors and other attendees for their incredible support in making this year’s gala so memorable.  After a two year break, it was great to see so many familiar faces as well as new ones.

Over 100 people gathered at the re-opening of the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum and to honor William R. Hearst III with the 2022 Achievement in Aviation Award for his support in preserving aviation history. “Will and the Hearst family enjoy a remarkable past that has been intertwined with aviation from its earliest days. This role in advancing aeronautical achievements goes back generations,” said John Hill. A couple of examples of how this family shaped aviation history includes early transoceanic flight attempts when such missions were exceedingly daring and fraught with risk, and the infamous 1929 around the world flight of the Graf Zeppelin – the world’s first global passenger-carrying flight!

Hearst lit up the room with his sense of humor during his acceptance speech and talked about what it was like growing up in Hearst Castle, his passion for flying, and preserving aviation history.

In addition to presenting the award, it was a very nostalgic night with the gala being held inside the replica of the original SFO 1937 terminal. “I think they do a good job of representing the airport from the beginning,” said Justin Erickson from Consor PMCM.

“We’re 84 years back in time! I love vintage planes,” said Rafe Tomset, an aviation enthusiast and former Canadian Snowbirds photographer.

Former aviation employees Karen and Doreen flew from 1965 to 1975 were gracious helpers as they proudly wore their flight attendant uniforms designed by Edith Head, a famous designer who won a record eight Academy Awards for Best Costume Design.

The museum’s collection is impressive to say the least. From a Super Constellation ashtray from the early 1950s, Qantas flight attendant suits from the 1970s, to mail from the first airmail flight by Pan American World Airways in the 1940s!

The Society’s President, Eric Starks shared news from the past two years:  “We are proud for the addition of two new Board members and mid-year, we made two big acquisitions – one from the TWA Museum in Kansas City and other from the Anthony Lawler model collection. And to further our mission, our educational efforts will be front and center on November 17 when we host Captain Sully Sullenberger for an informational discussion and movie night with the playing of the documentary film ‘Miracle Landing on the Hudson.'”

It was a great night.  Be sure to follow the Society on social media and the website for our latest news, information, and activities!

Paying tribute and presenting the Achievement in Aviation Award to Louis A. Turpen as the founding President of the Society and his outstanding contributions in the field of aviation, as well as his passion and dedication to preserving the history of aviation

Celebrating and paying tribute to the hard-working women and men of the commercial air transport industry, and the presentation of the Achievement in Aviation Award to Captain Chelsey B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III, for his exemplary career and accomplishments in aviation

The celebration of the airplane as a thing of beauty, and the continuum of aeronautical engineering, design, and influence for over one hundred years was celebrated including the Jim Lund 1:72 Scale Model Airplane Collection. In addition, John Travolta received the Achievement in Aviation Medallion in recognition of his personal involvement and dedication to aviation in stimulating public awareness and appreciation for commercial air transport.