The Wright Brothers award is the most prestigious honor the FAA issues to pilots. Its recognizes individuals who exhibit professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as “Master Pilots.”

A model airplane enthusiast in his youth, Halsted pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from California State Polytechnic College and graduated in 1966.

From the third grade on, Barry wore glasses and thought he could not be a pilot, Still he persevered and, on July 8, 1963, soloed a Cessna 150, and received his private pilot license in January of 1964. He received a vision waiver that allowed him to earn his commercial pilot’s license. He worked as a flight instructor at Flabob airport during his last year at CalPoly.

During the next couple of years, he added instrument, multi-engine and single engine seaplane ratings, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument authorization and Advanced Ground Instructor license.

After college, he moved to Seattle and flight instructed part time while also working at Boeing as a flight test engineer. For several years he had a career selling aircraft for Pacific Aviation, a small flight operation in Seattle, and the Bellanca Aircraft Company.

Halsted retired in 2010 after having worked in the aviation industry for 15 years. He joined the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) while he was working at Boeing in Seattle.

He has owned 29 airplanes and has flown more than 10,300 hours to date.