Transportation Cabinet
KYTC Urges Kentucky Photographers to “Reach for the Clouds” -- Department of Aviation Launches “First-Ever” Photography Competition

FRANKFORT, KY (November 14, 2005) – A celebration of aviation through photography is launched by the inaugural Kentucky Aviation Photography Contest. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Aviation contest included 125 entries from all across the Commonwealth.

The photographers submitted their entries for consideration in twelve categories. “We had so many excellent photographs that picking the winners proved to be an agonizing process,” said Commissioner of Aviation Paul Steely.

Categories and winners are as follows:

Modern Aircraft                                               David Caldwell - Danville, Ky

Sky-Diving                                                       Dan Paganini - Lexington, Ky

Old Aircraft                                                      Susan J. Adams - Murray, Ky

Balloons                                                           Susan J. Adams - Murray, Ky

Aviation Maintenance                                       Susan J. Adams - Murray, Ky

Military                                                             Bernie Sams - Winchester, Ky

Life-at-an- Airport                                          Greg Bell - Louisville, Ky

Aerial Application/Agricultural Spraying       Greg Bell - Louisville, Ky

Medical Transport                                            Joseph Hill - Mt. Sterling, Ky

Air-to-Air                                                         Christopher Morecroft - Georgetown, Ky

Aerial Photography                                           Mark Anders - Nicholasville, Ky

Aviation Careers                                               Charlie Pyles - Cold Spring, Ky

An awards ceremony was held in the Transportation Cabinet Office Building, with lunch provided by the Department of Aviation at Mero Street Café.  Transportation Cabinet Acting Secretary Bill Nighbert and Commissioner Steely presented engraved plaques to each of the winners.

Commissioner Steely emphasized the degree to which aviation plays such an important role in this administration’s vision of economic growth and overall quality of life for all Kentuckians. “Under Governor Fletcher’s leadership, the Division of Aeronautics has been elevated to the Department of Aviation within the Transportation Cabinet. This contest is just one way for us to bring Kentuckians closer to an aviation system that has reached the first of many new plateaus, a system in which we can all take pride.”

The Department encourages all avid Kentucky photographers to adjust their “flight plans” for next year to allow for participation in the 2006 contest. The Cabinet will begin accepting entries July 1, 2006. The deadline for entries will be September 1, 2006.

NOTE:  The photographs are attached.

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