Industry Veteran Dan Hargrove Honored With NBAA Silk Scarf Award

April 24, 2026

Longtime aviator Dan Hargrove, who is retiring as director of aviation and a professor at Montana’s Rocky Mountain College (RMC), was presented with the NBAA Silk Scarf Award in recognition of his dedication to the industry.

Hargrove is a former U.S. Air Force pilot and aviation educator known for both his military service and later academic leadership. At Rocky Mountain College he has overseen flight training, curriculum, and aviation program development.

“I met Dan almost two decades ago at an industry event, wherein, at Dan’s request, the collaboration between NBAA and RMC’s Aviation Program began,” said NBAA Regional Director Kristi Ivey, CAM, who presented Hargrove with the award.

“Since then, Dan regularly invites me and other business aviation professionals to speak to his students about career opportunities, and I am truly honored to serve on the school’s aviation industry advisory board,’ she added.

Hargrove served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot. During that time, he flew multiple aircraft, including the T-38 supersonic trainer and the C-141 Starlifter cargo plane. He also participated in missions during the 1991 Gulf War, transporting troops, equipment, and supplies into operational zones.

During his career he has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, with a large portion of that spent as an instructor and evaluator pilot.

Among the many notable aspects of his career was his assignment at Andrews Air Force Base, where he flew a VIP Boeing 757 aircraft used to transport top U.S. officials. He also commanded crews responsible for flights of the vice president, first lady, cabinet members and members of Congress. He frequently flew missions under the call sign “Air Force Two.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, Hargrove was flying a backup aircraft for Air Force One, as part of the contingency system that ensures presidential mobility.

In addition to his responsibilities at Rocky Mountain College, Hargrove also previously served on the Montana Board of Aeronautics to help guide aviation planning and funding. He also has served in leadership roles with the University Aviation Association, influencing collegiate aviation programs nationwide.