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NAA EVENT NEWS

SAVE THE DATE - NAA Fall Awards

JOIN US!


The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is thrilled to announce that the NAA Fall Awards will take place on November 6th in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club.


Mark your calendars and save the date to join us as we celebrate Aeronautic Excellence.


Awards & Recognitions to date include:


NAA NEWS

Joan Sullivan Garrett Chosen as the 2025 Recipient of the Prestigious Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy

On June 26th, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced that Joan Sullivan Garrett has been selected to receive the 2025 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for her pioneering work in aviation telemedicine. 


In 1983, Sullivan Garrett, then a critical care flight nurse, responded with her helicopter crew to a vehicle rollover accident in remote Arizona. Among many victims was an 8-year-old boy named Ralphie who tragically could not be saved. Her time with this child made a lasting impression and became the impetus and inspiration to found MedAire in 1985. The company focused on addressing aviation medical preparedness. Her vision for MedAire was to provide flight crews with knowledge, skill, resources, and access to medical expertise to manage in-flight medical emergencies. Initially, she introduced the industry’s first Manual for In-flight Medical Care and updated medical kits. In 1987, she launched MedLink, the first 24/7 global aviation medical response center staffed with emergency physicians. Today, MedAire is the world’s leading provider of remote medical safety and security services, managing approximately 900 emergency calls daily, over 157,000 cases in 2024 alone. The company serves over 180 airlines worldwide and 6,800 private aircraft, significantly enhancing aviation safety.


Read the full press release

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) held its 2025 Aviation Records Celebration presented by Bombardier on July 11th at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas.


Since 1905, the NAA has served as the official U.S. representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). As the nation's official record keeper for aeronautic and astronautic achievements, the NAA remains dedicated to recognizing excellence across all levels of flight and honoring those who continue to push aviation and aerospace to new heights.


Read the full recap

NEWS FROM OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

Airbus and Leonardo to launch NH90 Block 2 studies responding to a request from NAHEMA

Helicopters and Leonardo joined forces to carry out an architecture study to define the basis of the NH90 long-term evolution, known as Block 2. The Block 2 upgrade will include key structural improvements to the aircraft, such as modular avionics, greater configuration commonality, improved maintenance and performance, as well as new capabilities in the field of collaborative combat, connectivity, and crewed-uncrewed teaming.


Learn more about their partnership here..

Electra and Surf Air Mobility Complete First Commercial Demonstrations of Ultra Short Aircraft at

Virginia Tech



A series of “breathtakingly short” takeoffs and landings showcases how Electra’s hybrid-electric aircraft will unlock the new era of Direct Aviation.



Click here to learn more.

Skyryse Signs Multi-Year Partnership with CAL FIRE Focused on Enhanced Firefighting Operations and Safety

Skyryse announced a new partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection focused on strengthening firefighting technology, operations, and training programs. With SkyOS™, the first universal operating system for flight, Skyryse will enable firefighting aircraft to more effectively and safely execute its mission to strengthen wildfire resilience, protecting California’s most vulnerable communities.



Click here to learn more.

Hemlock Films earns its 12th Emmy for Best Historical Documentary



Corporate Member Hemlock Films, a full-service video & film production company specializing in aviation filmmaking, earns another Emmy!


See the list of their extraordinary recognitions here.

Pilot and Technician Outlook 2025-2044

Boeing is projecting a demand of nearly 2.4 million new commercial aviation jobs through 2044. Boeing projects that two-thirds of new personnel will address replacement through 2044 due to attrition. The report stated that demand for new personnel is mainly being driven by single-aisle airplanes.


Read the report here.

NEWS FROM OUR AFFILIATE MEMBERS



Following a record-breaking EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, EAA is adding a replica aircraft from the pioneer era and a reproduction of a World War II jet fighter to the museum as part of a temporary display.


Learn more here.



The National Business Aviation Association will introduce a new Career Zone at NBAA-BACE 2025 in designed to connect top employers with professionals at every career stage. The Career Zone builds on the show’s established Career Fair and adds tools to help attendees navigate job transitions and growth.


Learn more here!


NEWS FROM OUR INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS

Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity to Jump out of a DC-9

Skydiving from the DC‑9 at Skydive Perris is nothing short of a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity—a collision of raw adrenaline, aviation history, and pure spectacle. As the world’s only skydiving‑rated DC‑9 airliner, this jet transforms a typical dropzone day into an unforgettable event, boarding up to 80 jumpers in what feels like a flying celebration before ascending to 13,500 ft in roughly four minutes. Once the rear exit opens, you don’t accelerate—you decelerate from the jet’s 140–160 mph speed to your terminal velocity, offering a uniquely cinematic transition into freefall. Every stage—cruising in the cabin turned party plane, racing toward the tailgate, the collective energy of fellow jumpers, and then that split‑second moment stepping into the void—is engineered to deliver maximum thrill. This isn’t just skydiving; it’s skydiving out of a jetliner, with all the prestige, history, and heart‑pounding excitement that entails


Get your tickets today and head to Skydive Perris from December 27th - 28th for this opportunity.

Embry-Riddle Student Wins Flexjet Interior Design Contest

Woojae Sohn, a freshman aviation business major at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is the winner of Flexjet’s Project LXi: Design the Ultimate Private Jet Interior contest. Sohn, who is also a member of the Air Force ROTC, has been awarded the $100,000 grand prize for the design known as “Carolina.” See more here.

National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

Presented by Textron Aviation

Join the National Aviation Hall of Fame for their annual Enshrinement Ceremony on September 19, 2025 at the B-25 Doc Hangar in Wichita, Kansas. Join the NAHF in celebrating aviation’s greatest legends at the National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.


Click here to learn more.

NEWS FROM OUR AIR SPORT MEMBERS

Cheri White Earns 2025

US National Women’s Hot Air Balloon Championship

The Balloon Federation of America’s Women’s National Championship took place in Jackson for the third consecutive year this past week as part of the Hot Air Jubilee’s festivities. The pilot who earned their spot at the top was Cheri White, who scored 16,575 points in the “Code Red” balloon.


To learn more, click here.

NEWS FROM OUR AERO CLUB MEMBERS

Join us at the Aero Club of Washington’s

77th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner


Honoring the NAA’s 2025 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy Recipient:

Joan Sullivan Garrett, Founder & Chairman, MedAire

And the Aero Club of Washington’s Persons of the Year:

The NTSB & Federal, State, and Local DCA Crash First Responders



Thursday, December 11, 2025

The Marriott Marquis. Washington, DC

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Black Tie Optional

5:30 p.m. – VIP Reception (for invited guests and sponsors)

6:00 p.m. – Reception

7:00 p.m. – Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Dessert Reception to Follow


Secure your seats today!


Aero Club of NoCal to Present Crystal Eagle


The Aero Club Crystal Eagle is presented annually by the Aero Club of Northern California to recognize an individual whose accomplishments have significantly contributed to the advancement of aviation or space technology. 


The Aero Club of Northern California will hold its Crystal Eagle Award Dinner on November 15, 2025.


Click here to learn more.

AIR SPORTS ORGANIZATION MEMBER EVENTS

Join the World Air Sport Federation (FAI) for a

FREE Clean Sports Webinar Series


The FAI is pleased to invite you to participate in the upcoming International Testing Agency (ITA) Clean Sport Webinar Series, delivered in partnership with ARISF. This initiative forms part of our commitment to promoting integrity, fairness, and education in sport.


This engaging three-part webinar series is open to all FAI community members and offers valuable insights into key anti-doping topics. Whether you're an administrator, delegate, volunteer, official, coach, or athlete, we strongly encourage you to attend and support the clean sport movement.


  1. Introduction to Anti-Doping - Rights, responsibilities, rule violations, consequences, proactive reporting
  2. Wednesday, 24 September | 12:00–13:00 UTC


  1. The Prohibited List, Medications, TUEs, and Supplements - Includes the principle of strict liability
  2. Wednesday, 1 October | 12:00–13:00 UTC


  1. Testing - Includes testing procedures, ABP, testing pools, and whereabouts
  2. Wednesday, 8 October | 12:00–13:00 UTC


Register Now (access to all 3 webinars): Click here to register


  • Live translations will be available during the English delivery in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.
  • Personalized Certificates will be given to participants who attend at least one live session or watch the recordings and complete a short test.
  • Please share this invitation widely within your networks. This webinar is relevant to everyone in the FAI community. 


NAA AFFILIATE MEMBER EVENTS

August 15–16, 2025, AOPA Fly-In at Props & Pistons Festival, Akron, OH

September 10–14, 2025, National Championship Air Races Roswell, NM

September 15-17, 2025, NATCA Communicating for Safety Las Vegas, NV

September 16-17, 2025 NATA Ground Handling Safety Symposium Dallas, TX

September 17-19, 2025 RAA Leaders Conference Washington, DC

September 21-24, 2025, NASAO Annual Convention & Trade Show, Anchorage, AK

September 22–28, 2025, AOPA Oasis at Triple Tree Woodruff, SC

September 24-25, 2025, AUVSI Advanced Air Mobility Exposition, Newport News, VA

September 29- October 1, 2025, ATCA Connect Charleston, SC

October 14–16, 2025, NBAA-BACE Las Vegas, NV

October 28-29, 2025, AUVSI Defense, Washington, DC

October 29, 2025, ATCA Glen A. Gilbert Soiree, Washington, DC

November 4-6, 2025 ATCA Tech Symposium Atlantic City, NJ

November 16–18, 2026, You Can Fly STEM Symposium, Indianapolis, IN

December 2-4, 2025 ATCA Aviation Leadership Forum Westlake, TX

December 11-12, 2025 ACI-NA 2025 Intern. Aviation Issues Seminar, Washington, DC

January 21-23, 2026 ACI-NA Risk Management Conference New Orleans, LA

January 26-28, 2026 ACI-NA Air Service Data Seminar New Orleans, LA

February 2-4, 2026 NBAA Leadership Conference San Antonio, TX

February 10-12, 2026 ACI-NA CEO Forum, Bonita Springs, FL

February 15-17, 2026 ACI-NA Air Cargo Conference, Orlando, FL

March 2-4, 2026 ATCA Connect Charleston, SC

March 9-12, 2026 VERTICON, Atlanta, GA

March 12-13, 2026 ACI-NA/AAAE Washington Legislative Conference Washington, DC

May 11-14, 2026, XPONENTIAL 2026, Detroit, MI

June 8-12, 2026 AIAA Aviation Forum, San Diego, CA

July 20-26, 2026, AirVenture EAA Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI

July 20-26, 2026, Farnborough Air Show, Farnborough, UK

September 12-16, 2026, NASAO Annual Convention & Trade Show, Grand Forks, ND

September 14-17, 2026, ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA

October 20-22, 2026, NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, Las Vegas, NV


ABOUT THE NAA

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is the oldest national aviation organization in the United States and is dedicated to advancing of the art, sport and science of aviation in the United States. We encompass all areas of flight from skydiving and models to commercial airlines, military aircraft, and spaceflight.


The NAA is the official record-keeper for United States aviation. Recognized, official records are set through our Contest & Records Board.


The NAA administers the nation’s most prestigious aviation awards, including the Collier Trophy and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. The Awards & Events Board oversees nominations and selections year round.


We are able to achieve our mission because of our members; thousands of individuals, organizations, and corporations representing all segments of American aviation.

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