Lauren Sanchez, the fiance of Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos, has been a helicopter pilot for over a decade now. She got her pilot’s license in 2011, and her passion is now being awarded. Sanchez’s dedication is being acknowledged with the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award, a remarkable honor. As the founder of Black Ops Aviation, an aerial film company where she serves as CEO and helicopter pilot, Sanchez has had a stellar year. The soon-to-be Mrs. Bezos made an impressive debut in Vogue, followed by receiving the Living Legends’ most prestigious honor for vertical flight. Her fervor for flying is unmistakable; she’s the driving force behind the first female-owned and operated aerial film and production company.
Lauren’s aviation roots run deep, with her father being a former commercial pilot, airplane mechanic, and flight instructor. Her commitment captured the attention of her centibillionaire fiancé, Jeff Bezos, the world’s third-richest man with a net worth of $170 billion. He purchased a helipad-equipped $75 million support vessel, the Abeona Yacht, to accompany his $500 million sailing yacht, Koru. Sanchez was recently seen in action, skillfully landing a helicopter on Abeona. A video surfaced online showing the former journalist making several attempts before successfully landing the chopper on the shadow vessel.
At 53, Sanchez will be honored alongside 100 other individuals for their exceptional achievements in aviation and aerospace. “Lauren is a role model and a true inspiration for many women in aviation,” said Stacey Elsner, acting Executive Director of the Living Legends of Aviation. Sanchez’s own words about flying reflect her passion: “I want to be in a helicopter all the time. It’s calming and satisfying; up there is where I need to be.”
The Living Legends of Aviation award recognizes achievements in the aerospace industry, honoring innovators, astronauts, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and celebrity pilots. The Academy Award of Aviation event will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Sanchez joins a list of legends including Elon Musk, Kenn Ricci, Harrison Ford, Buzz Aldrin, Jared Isaacman, Captain Jim Lovell, and Fatih and Eren Ozmen. The awards, produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a non-profit organization, celebrate contributions to aviation and aerospace.
