In February of 2013, we lost one of the most beloved members of the Kitty Hawk Kites crew. Zack Marzec started his career with the company as a dune hang gliding instructor and worked his way up to a tandem hang gliding instructor. Zack’s positive attitude and passion for flying impacted many of the instructors and the students he taught during his time at Kitty Hawk Kites.
In memory of Zack, one individual from Kitty Hawk Kites is awarded the Zack Marzec Spark Award each year. The winner is chosen through an internal voting process, allowing members of the Kitty Hawk Kites crew to choose who they think most embodies the spirit of Zack. This year, hang gliding and paragliding instructor Mike Appel was chosen as the recipient of the 2015 Spark Award.