National Association of Priest Pilots

Last updated

National Association of Priest Pilots
AbbreviationNAPP
NicknameFlying Padres
FormationJuly 15, 1964;61 years ago (1964-07-15)
Membership120 (2025)
Website priestpilots.org

The National Association of Priest Pilots, or the Flying Padres, is a group of Catholic clergy promoting aviation for the purposes of evangelization. [1]

Contents

History

The National Association of Priest Pilots was founded on July 15, 1964, sponsored by Richard Henry Ackerman, bishop of the Diocese of Covington. The purpose of the organization as advertised at its founding is "to promote the use of private aircraft as a practical, safe, and efficient tool in the apostolic work of the priest". Abbot Charles Coriston of St. Paul's Abbey was the first president. [2] [3] The first meeting was held in Maysville, Kentucky, and gathered 60 priests. [4] Pope Paul VI bestowed his apostolic blessing on the group in September 1964, and by March 1965, the group counted 300 members from 39 American states and 12 other countries. [5]

While the group still promotes the usage of aviation for evangelization in places like the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, [6] in recent years the group has pivoted to mainly having a hobbyist focus due to dwindling membership. [7]

Full membership may be obtained by Catholic priests or deacons with an FAA rating. Associate memberships are available to anyone interested in furthering the objectives of the association. [4] Some priest members have previously served in the United States Air Force. [8] [9] In 2009, the group had 150 members, 20 of whom were not priests. [7] The 50th annual convention in 2014 was held in Rapid City and was hosted by Robert D. Gruss, bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City and former commercial pilot. [1] The group had 120 members in 2025. [6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Garrigan, Mary (July 13, 2013). "Sky Pilots". Rapid City Journal. pp. C1, C2 . Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Abbot Heads Group Priest-Pilots Unite To Teach Nations". The Catholic Advocate. Vol. 13, no. 31. July 23, 1964. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  3. ↑ Haitch, Richard (September 8, 1968). "Private Flying: Cassocks Doffed for Sports Clothes". New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Teehan, John (August 13, 1964). "Flying Abbot Sees Place for Priests in the Sky". The Catholic Advocate. Vol. 13, no. 34. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  5. ↑ Clausmeyer, Ann (March 13, 1965). "Priest Pilots Number 300 in 22 Orders". The Bay City Times. p. 3. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Peat, Eric (September 14, 2025). "Meet the Catholic pilots flying for the kingdom of God". Our Sunday Visitor. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Mangels, John (July 7, 2009). "Flying priests flocking to area". The Plain Dealer. pp. B1, B3.
  8. ↑ "171st Air Refueling Wing Welcomes National Group Of Priest Pilots - CBS Pittsburgh". CBS News. July 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  9. ↑ Brooks, Kyle. "Priest Pilots Tour the 171st". 171st Air Refueling Wing. July 22, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.