The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is a federally recognized 501c3 whose mission is to advance and oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight. The NAA achieves this by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight in the United States.
The NAA serves to
Develop opportunities to strengthen mutual objectives of the NAA’s corporate members, Air Sports organizations, affiliate and institutional members, and regional aero club members, as well as aid in the formation of affiliated aero clubs in U.S. cities where such organizations do not now exist;
Encourage, coordinate, document, and promote competition and record-making aviation and space events following the rules prescribed by the FAI;
Recognize and reward those who make outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation and space flight through presentations of awards and other honors;
Endorse sound national programs and other efforts designed to help the U.S. remain a leader in aviation and space flight;
Support and encourage aviation and space education programs;
Promote and encourage public participation in and appreciation of U.S. aviation and space activities.
History
In the early years of the 20th century, aviation was fascinating. Untouchable to most, the people who could engage in the pursuit were the wealthiest Americans of that time, like the Vanderbilt's, Glidden's, and Dodges, many of whom belonged to the Automobile Club of America. This group first chose to branch out into the fledgling aviation field in 1905, founding the Aero Club of America (ACA).
The ACA’s first goal was to promote aviation in any way possible as both a sport and a commercial endeavor. From its founding until 1922, the ACA grew in vision and scope and counted many successes in building aviation, including issuing all pilot licenses. In that year, a change was needed to accommodate the expanding business of the ACA, and the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) was incorporated as the Aero Club’s successor. The NAA continued the original group’s mission, including issuing all pilot's licenses until the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1926.
While the Aero Club of America was based in New York City, the NAA is based in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., where it continues to serve the same mission set forth by the best of the best in aeronautics.
The NAA and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
In 1905, the NAA joined Germany, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, and France to create an international aviation organization – Fédération Aéronautique Internationale – with the goal of fostering aeronautical activities worldwide. FAI is the organization responsible for establishing the rules for record-setting and competition, and also for recognizing international achievements in aeronautics and astronautics.
The NAA is the largest member of FAI and is responsible for appointing representatives to 15 major air sport and technical committees of FAI. The NAA also represents U.S. interests in aviation at the FAI’s Annual General Conference.
Mission
The NAA's mission is to advance and oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight. The NAA achieves this by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight in the United States.
The NAA's Purpose is to
Drive excellence with recognition, including through contests, awards, and trophies.
Sanction and bestow authority to Americans representing the best in International Air Sports.
Promote and foster appreciation for the art of flying and strengthen the aerospace business.
Encourage the study, establishment, and deeper understanding of the science of aeronautics in all forms to encourage inventions and improvements in the field and across the industry.
Assist in ensuring a sustainable and reliable aviation system.
Aviation and aerospace records
The NAA has certified aviation and aerospace records in the United States since 1905. Its records database counts over 8,000 record flights[1] including those of balloons, airships, airplanes (land planes, seaplanes, amphibians, and very light jets) gliders, helicopters, autogiros, model aircraft, parachutes, human-powered aircraft, spacecraft, tilt-wing/tilt-engine aircraft, hang gliders, paragliders, microlights, space models, and UAVs. In addition, the NAA certifies various records, including altitude, time-to-climb, distance, speed, greatest payload carried, and efficiency.
As the U.S. representative to FAI, the NAA is the sole authority for overseeing and certifying all aviation records in the United States. On average, the NAA certifies 150 records each year. The NAA records process[2] is directed by the NAA Contest and Records Board and managed by the Arthur W. Greenfield, Senior V.P., Contest and Records.
Contest and record board members
Members
Rodney M. Skaar, Chair
Kristan R. Maynard, Vice-Chair
A.W. Greenfield, Secretary
Scott A. Neumann
Brian G. Utley
Ardyth M. Williams
Advisory Panel
Justin L. Druckemiller
David B. Higginbotham
Larry E. Steenstry
Aviation trophies and awards
The NAA acknowledges the accomplishments and achievements in aviation and aerospace through its trophies and awards.
Open nomination awards
Frank G. Brewer Trophy
Nomination period: May 1 – August 31
The Frank G. Brewer Trophy is awarded annually to an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization for significant contributions of enduring value to aerospace education in the United States.
Robert J. Collier Trophy
Nomination period: December 1 – January 31
The Robert J Collier Trophy is awarded annually for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, or safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.
Clifford B. Harmon Aeronaut Trophy
Nomination period: April 15 – July 15
The Harmon Aeronaut Trophy is awarded for the most outstanding international achievement in the art and/or science of aeronautics (ballooning) for the calendar period of July 1 – June 30 of the previous year.
Katharine Wright Memorial Trophy
Nomination period: January 1 – March 31
The Katharine Wright Memorial Trophy is awarded to a woman who has contributed to the success of others or made a personal contribution to the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight over an extended period.
Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Awards
Nomination period: May 1 – August 31
The Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman and Stateswoman of Aviation Awards are awarded to outstanding Americans who, by their efforts over an extended period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.
Public Benefit Flying Awards
Nomination period: May 1 – August 31
The Public Benefit Flying Awards honors volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and their organizations engaged in flying to help others.
Katherine & Marjorie Stinson Trophy
Nomination period: September 1 – November 30
The Katherine & Marjorie Stinson Trophy recognizes a living person, male or female, for an outstanding and enduring contribution to the role of women in the field of aviation, aeronautics, space, or related sciences.
Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
Nomination period: April 1 – June 1
The Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is awarded to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.
Special nomination awards
Clifford W. Henderson Trophy
The Clifford W. Henderson Trophy is given annually to a living individual or group whose vision, leadership, or skill has made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and advancement of aviation or space activity.
A nomination will be put forth annually by the President of the NAA, and a vote of the Executive Committee will confirm the recipient.
Clarence Mackay Trophy
The Clarence Mackay Trophy is awarded for the “most meritorious flight of the year” by an Air Force person, persons, or organization.
The Trophy is administered by the United States Air Force and the NAA and is presented in conjunction with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Bruce Whitman Trophy
The Bruce Whitman Trophy is awarded annually to outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation or aerospace in the United States and who, by working with museums and other institutions, have promoted an appreciation by students and the broader public of the sacrifices and legacy of members of the military service.
A nomination will be put forth annually by the Chair of the NAA, and a vote of the Executive Committee will confirm the recipient.
FAI awards
Within the United States and its Territories, the NAA has the sole responsibility of administering awards established by the FAI.
Gold Air Medal: Awarded to individuals who have contributed greatly to the development of aeronautics by their activities, work, achievements, initiative or devotion to the cause of aviation.
Gold Space Medal: Awarded to individuals who have contributed greatly to the development of Astronautics by their activities, work, achievements, initiative or devotion to the cause of space.
Sabiha Gökçen Medal: Awarded to a woman who performs the most outstanding achievement in any air sport in the previous year.
Silver Medal: Awarded to an individual who has occupied high office in FAI or in an aeronautical organization in one of its member countries, and in the discharge of their duties have shown exceptional powers of leadership and influence, to the benefit of the whole international air sport community.
Diploma for Outstanding Airmanship: Awarded to a person or a group of persons for a feat of outstanding airmanship in sub-orbital flight during one of the previous two years and which resulted in the saving of life of others and was carried out with that objective. Anyone engaged in a routine search and/or rescue mission shall not be eligible.
Paul Tissandier Diploma. Awarded to those who have served the cause of Aviation in general and Sporting Aviation in particular, by their work, initiative, devotion or in other ways.
Honorary Group Diploma: Awarded to groups of people (design offices, scientific bodies, aeronautical publications, etc.) that have contributed significantly to the progress of Aeronautics and Astronautics during the previous year or years.
International Aviation Art Contest: Held annually to encourage young people worldwide to demonstrate the importance of aviation through art and to motivate them to become more familiar with and participate in aeronautics, engineering and science. The United States portion of the contest is sponsored by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) in partnership with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and supported by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), National Coalition for Aviation Education (NCAE) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Air sports In America
Air Sport Organizations (ASO) are integral to the NAA’s ability to fulfill its mission.
Many ASOs serve as the introduction or gateway to commercial and business aviation. They are also competitive disciplines to many Americans and lifelong hobbies to thousands more. To foster our relationship with ASOs, the NAA works closely with ASOs to encourage membership and help drive innovation. America’s ASOs constantly change and evolve as new technology and aircraft become available.
The many disciplines of flying are represented by a variety of Air Sport Organizations (ASOs), which are the heart and soul of aviation in America. Nearly half a million people belong to ASOs in the United States, representing aerobatics, aeromodelling, ballooning, gliding, hang gliding and paragliding, powered paragliding and paramotor, and parachuting.
America's air sport organizations
Part of NAA’s mission is to encourage the sport of aviation, and it does so through its relationship with several United States Air Sports Organizations (ASOs). The NAA founded or helped form many ASOs and continues working closely with them all. ASOs are constantly changing as technology and aircraft evolve and as new air sports become available.
Aerobatics: International Aerobatic Club
Aeromodelling: Academy of Model Aeronautics
Ballooning and airships: Balloon Federation of American
Gliding: Soaring Society of America
Hang gliding and paragliding: United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
Parachuting: United States Parachute Association
Indoor skydiving
Powered paragliding and paramotor flying: United States Powered Paragliding Association
NAA leadership
The Board of Directors has an intentional blend of representation from throughout the aviation industry. The NAA Board includes government officials, industry leaders, executives of air sport organizations, and representatives of prominent organizations.
The NAA Board provides strategic leadership to the NAA’s President and holds responsibility for the content and alteration of the NAA’s By-Laws.
Officers
Jim Albaugh, Chair
Samantha Magill, Vice Chair, NASA
Jason Hopkins, Treasurer, Lockheed Martin
Elizabeth Matarese, Secretary, FAA (Retired)
Ted Ellett, General Counsel, Hogan Lovells
Amy Spowart, NAA President and CEO
Board of Directors
Nicole Alexander, Aero Club of Wichita
Jeremy Bayer, The Boeing Company
Darby Becker, Aero Club of Washington
Joshua Boehm, Spirit AeroSystems
Ché Bolden, The Charles F. Bolden Group
Pete Bunce, General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Matt Byrd, Hillwood Aviation
Leda Chong, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
J. Ray Davis, Rolls-Royce, North America
Arthur W. Greenfield, Jr., NAA Contest & Records Director
Sierra Grimes, aviation professional
Rich Hanson, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Lauren Haertlein, Joby Aviation
Chris Hart, Hart Solutions, LLC
Joan Higginbotham, Joan Higginbotham Ad Astra, LLC
Joseph Huber, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Int’l Airport
Dick Koenig, New England Air Museum
Ben Kowalski, Cirrus Aircraft
John S. Langford, Electra.aero
Denise Layton, Soaring Society of America
Rebecca Lutte, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Brad McKeage, Embraer
Mary Miller, Signature Aviation
Mary Claire Murphy, Textron Aviation
Billy Nolen, Archer Aviation
Mark Ofsthun, Honda Aircraft Company
Martiqua Post, U.S. Air Force Academy
Pat Prentiss, The Ninety-Nines, Inc.
Skip Ringo, The Ringo Group
Yvette Rose, FAA
Stacey Rudser, Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance
Sami Said, Northrop Grumman
Bob Stangarone, Stangarone & Associates
Liana Sucar-Hamel, Airbus Americas
Brad Thress, FlightSafety International
Anthony L. Velocci, Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine (Retired)
The NAA is honored to oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight. Its mission is achieved by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States.
Corporate Members
The support of the NAA’s Corporate Members is the cornerstone in achieving its mission of advancing the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight.
Part of NAA’s mission is to encourage the sport of aviation, and it does so through its relationship with several United States air sports organizations (ASOs).
NAA’s Affiliate Members represent a unique collection of aviation businesses and organizations participating in critical aviation issues, such as aircraft manufacturers’ liability, airline operations, historic preservation, etc.
Affiliating with NAA helps the aviation community by providing a shared forum for many organizations and associations.
Aerospace Industries Association
Air Line Pilots Association
Air Traffic Control Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Airports Council International – North America
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Cargo Airline Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Business Aviation Association
Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
Vertical Aviation International
Institutional Members
NAA's Institutional Members represent institutions such as colleges, universities, museums, and other places of learning.
As spaces for learning, development, and research, institutional members support NAA’s mission to promote the importance of aviation to the general public and support the future advancement of aeronautics.
Cosmosphere
Kansas Aviation Museum
National Aviation Hall of Fame
Aero Club members
As Americas Aero Club, the NAA serves as a unifier for all regional/local aero clubs.
Aero Club Members differ from region to region, but almost all consist of aviation professionals and enthusiasts. Each Club has a distinct and distinguished history; activities and interests vary, but all support aviation in their communities.
