Carl Zettlemoyer of Maxatawny Township, Berks County, was recently honored with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

The award recognizes pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 years or more.

In the United States, there are some 875,000 pilots and around 210 pilots who have received this prestigious award.

Zettlemoyer began his flight training in 1952 at Kutztown Aviation Service, Kutztown.

He first soloed in a Piper J-3 Cub and earned his private pilot certificate with an Aeronca Tri Champ.

Zettlemoyer has flown many aircraft over the years, including Cessna, Piper and the Dehavilland, Beaver.

He was a second lieutenant for the Civil Air Patrol and flew many hours search and rescue.

He currently owns and flies a Piper J-3 Cub and a Cessna 120.

He has been involved with many groups, including: International Flying Farmers; AOPA; EAA Aviation Council of Pennsylvania; Cessna 120 and 140 Association; American Farm Bureau Federation; United Flying Octogenarians and the Reading Hangar Quiet Birdmen.

Zettlemoyer has more than 2,000 accident free hours of flight.