National Aeronautic Association

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.

National Aeronautic Association

Abbreviation	NAA
Formation	1905 (1905)
Type	Not for profit
Purpose	Aviation advocacy
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Location	Washington, D.C., USA
Chairman	James Albaugh
President and CEO	Amy Marino Spowart
Website	naa.aero

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;
• Represent U.S. aviation throughout the world as the U.S. National Air Sport Control (NAC) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale;
• 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 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 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)
• James Viola, Helicopter Association International
• Patty Wagstaff, Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety, LLC
• Clyde Woltman, Leonardo Helicopters, U.S.A.
• Claudia Zapata-Cardone, United Airlines

NAA membership

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.

*

• Airbus
• Aviation Partners, Inc.
• Bombardier Aerospace
• Boom Supersonic
• The Boeing Company
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
• Cirrus Aircraft
• Electra.aero
• Embraer
• FlightSafety International
• Gulfstream Aerospace
• Honda Aircraft Company
• Leonardo Helicopters, U.S.A.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• MedAire
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Rolls-Royce North America
• Signature Flight Support
• Spirit AeroSystems
• Textron Aviation

Air sport members

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).

• Academy of Model Aeronautics
• Balloon Federation of America
• International Aerobatic Club
• Soaring Society of America
• United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
• United States Parachute Association
• United States Ultralight Association
• United States Powered Paragliding Association

Affiliate Members

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.

• Aero Club of Metropolitan Atlanta
• Aero Club of New England
• Aero Club of Northern California
• Aero Club of Southern California
• Aero Club of Washington
• Wichita Aeroclub

External links

• National Aeronautic Association