Advancing the art, sport, and science of aviation since 1905

From the President's Chair: Recognizing Our Incredible Team

Dear NAA Members,

As we hit the midway point of an incredibly fast-paced summer, I wanted to step back from our usual organizational updates and talk about something much closer to my heart: the people who actually make the National Aeronautic Association run.

We talk a lot about our critical mission of inspiring innovation, recognizing achievements, and shaping the future of flight. But the truth is, a mission statement is just words on a page without a team to bring it to life. And let me tell you, I feel like the luckiest person in aviation because of the small, fierce, and deeply dedicated team I get to stand alongside every day.

I’ve never believed in micromanagement. I believe in hiring brilliant people, giving them total trust, and letting them run. Every single day, this team reminds me why that trust is our greatest asset. We pull off massive, historic milestones every day, and we do it because everyone on this team takes full ownership of their piece of our world.

Take Art Greenfield, our Senior Vice President of Contest and Records. Art is the absolute bedrock of our integrity, holding our world record certification to strict, unbiased standards with a level of expertise unmatched anywhere in the world. Then there’s Julie Ausnow, our Director of Membership, who treats our members not just as a database but as a true community, keeping us connected and growing. And I know so many of you are still buzzing from the beautiful Robert J. Collier Trophy celebration on June 11th. That flawless evening was entirely down to the vision and relentless hard work of Kerisa Citro, our Director of Awards and Events.

But our tight-knit circle doesn't end there. We are profoundly grateful for our incredible contractors, including Amy Lauria and Joyce Shaefer, who step into the gaps with so much passion, talent, and dedication that they feel like an organic extension of our soul.

To Art, Julie, Kerisa, Amy, and Joyce: thank you. Thank you for your late nights, your brilliant minds, your resilience, and the sheer heart you pour into this organization. You don't just clear the bar; you constantly raise it, and you make me incredibly proud to do this work beside you.

Amy

Amy Spowart

President and CEO

National Aeronautic Association

Announcing the 2026 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy Recipient

The National Aeronautic Association is proud to name Robert Sumwalt, former NTSB Chairman, as the 2026 recipient of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.



First announced on June 18 (read here), this honor recognizes Sumwalt’s four decades of dedicated service to aviation safety. From his 24 years as a commercial pilot to his federal leadership, to his proactive work has permanently transformed global transportation standards. Today, he continues to shape the future of aerospace safety as the executive director of the Boeing Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The recognition will be presented during the Aero Club of Washington’s Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on December 17, 2026.

Looking Back: The 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy Celebration

On June 11, the National Aeronautic Association brought together the brightest minds and top executives in aerospace to celebrate the presentation of the 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy.

The Robert J. Collier Trophy. 

As the proud custodian of aviation’s most prestigious honor, the NAA has overseen the benchmarking of aerospace achievement for over a century. The annual event serves as a powerful reminder of what the Collier Trophy represents: a timeless standard for the greatest achievements in aeronautics or astronautics in America, where value is demonstrated by actual use.

The evening was a masterful showcase of collaboration, uniting industry pioneers, government leaders, and innovators who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the skies and beyond.



View and download photos here!

Did You Know? ✈️

How does the history of NAA begin? Not exactly as you might expect.

While our official "birth certificate" points to 1905, when a group of aviation enthusiasts in NYC organized the Aero Club of America (which later evolved into the NAA), our roots actually trace back to when the Wright Brothers were still just kids!

It all comes down to a wild twist of fate in the year 1876 - a golden year that gave us Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone, but also secretly set the stage for modern aviation:

• The Engine: A German tinkerer named Nicolaus Otto built the first practical four-cycle internal-combustion engine.
• The Wheels: An Englishman named Harry Lawson designed the first "safety bicycle" (the kind with two equal-sized wheels).

The Connection? That safety bike kicked off a massive cycling craze in the 1890s, prompting Wilbur and Orville Wright to open a bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. That shop gave them the mechanical skills, funding, and workshop space to pull off the first powered flight in 1903 using a descendant of Otto's engine.

Want to learn more? Check out Part 2 of our history here!

Oshkosh ready? Not without your NAA gear!

When you're walking the flight line at #OSH26, let everyone know you support the keepers of aviation history and future. Grab your official hats, apparel, and accessories now, so you're fully geared up before heading to Wisconsin!

Beat the pre-convention rush and order today!



Speaking of Oshkosh, Check in with NAA Members

Oshkosh is all about community, and NAA members will be out in full force this year. Our members will be scattered throughout the grounds, from the flight line to the forums, celebrating the spirit of flight.

If you see someone sporting the NAA logo, stop them for a chat! It’s the perfect opportunity to talk shop about aviation’s greatest milestones, exciting new records, and where the industry is heading next.

Share YOUR News

NAA Member Spotlight:  Team USA Air Sports Athletes

Tracking Team USA on the Global Stage

This July, we are doing something a bit different for our Member of the Month feature. Rather than highlighting a single individual, the NAA is turning the spotlight toward the elite contingent of U.S. Air Sports pilots, athletes, and competitors representing their sport in competitions around the world this month.

As the U.S. representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the NAA is incredibly proud to watch these competitors push the limits of human skill, physics, and precision flying. From the thermals of Europe to global precision routes, Team USA is taking to the skies in FAI competitions this summer, and we couldn't be prouder of each of them!

Interested in seeing the FAI Sporting Calendar for events this year? Check it out here.

Are you an athlete in need of a Sporting License? Get yours today here.

Nominate someone today! 

The National Aeronautic Association doesn’t just record history—we celebrate the people making it. Use this form to nominate an individual or organization that embodies the “art, sport, and science of aviation."

Nominations and recognition are member benefits. Join today and prepare to share your hero soon!

The National Aeronautic Association doesn’t just record history -

we celebrate the people making it.

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