| |
Advancing the art, sport, and science of aviation since 1905 | | From the Director's Chair: Navigating the frontiers of flight with the National Aeronautic Association. | | |
Firsts and Milestones Capture Headlines
...But Records Endure
People tend to remember the firsts in aviation and spaceflight and often refer to them as milestones. Yet the records associated with those firsts and milestones are sometimes overlooked.
Everybody knows that Charles Lindbergh made the first solo transatlantic flight when he flew the Spirit of St. Louis from New York to Paris in 1927. But did you know that Lindbergh's achievement wasn't just a first—it became a certified record for “Distance” of 3,610 miles.
Apollo 11 had many firsts, including the first Moon landing, the first person to set foot on the Moon, and the first television broadcast from the Moon. Among them, Neil Armstrong also set a record for “Duration of Stay Outside a Spacecraft,” at 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 40 seconds.
While a “first” can never be broken, records can be broken, and this encourages others to do better by flying even faster, farther, and higher.
The Artemis II mission’s firsts and milestones are still being made… just like their record claims. Earlier this week, NASA notified NAA of their first record claim for “Altitude” after the crew entered High Earth Orbit. When Orion reached the far side of the Moon on Monday, the crew had traveled farther from Earth than any other humans. We anxiously await their next record claim for “Distance to Earth.”
Firsts are often limited only by the imagination of those writing the press releases. But setting a record requires much more than imagination. It requires strict adherence to a common set of internationally recognized rules (the FAI Sporting Code) and a commitment to abide by them. After the flight, record claimants submit their data so NAA (and subsequently FAI) can independently review it and determine whether it meets the criteria necessary to become a certified record.
As the Artemis II crew continues their journey, each new record they claim underscores the enduring collaborative spirit between NASA and NAA. Since Alan Shepard’s flight in 1961, the NAA has transformed NASA’s firsts and milestones into official world records—achievements designed to be surpassed on future missions. Long after the headlines fade, these records continue to drive the advancement of aviation and spaceflight.
Art
Art Greenfield
Senior V.P, Contest & Records
National Aeronautic Association
| | |
Key Dates to Remember
June 2026:
What: The Collier Trophy Presentation Dinner (Washington, D.C.).
When: June 11, 2026
Who: Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1
For over a century, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has held the distinct honor of presenting the Robert J. Collier Trophy. This award is reserved for those who don’t just innovate, but fundamentally redefine the performance, efficiency, and safety of aerospace flight.
The Collier Trophy is awarded for achievements that have moved beyond the drawing board and into successful operation. With Blue Ghost Mission 1, Firefly Aerospace isn’t just launching a lander; they are establishing a reliable, commercial gateway to the Moon. They are taking the “impossible” and making it a repeatable, historic reality.
Today, the Collier Celebration remains the most prestigious gathering in aerospace. The NAA is honored to recognize the visionaries at Firefly who are setting the new standard for the industry and securing our future among the stars.
Please join us in Washington, D.C. for an extraordinary night of aerospace excellence!
| |
As we look toward the future with emerging technologies, NASA, and Blue Origin, we pause to honor the anniversaries of the pioneers who sat in the same seats of uncertainty and triumph. This month, we celebrate the milestones that were meticulously validated and archived.
54 Years Ago: The Lunar Grand Prix (April 1972)
In April 1972, Apollo 16 touched down in the Descartes Highlands. While the mission gathered 211 pounds of lunar samples, it also set a record that remains a fan favorite in our archives: the Lunar Speed Record.
- The Record: Commander John Young put the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) through a "Grand Prix" time trial, reaching a validated top speed of 11.2 mph (18.0 km/h).
- The Legacy: While it may sound modest, validating a vehicle's performance in 1/6th gravity was a critical data point for the lunar mobility systems we are designing today.
97 Years Ago: Speed and Endurance (April 1929)
Long before the jet age, April was a month of fierce competition in the "Golden Age of Flight."
- The Record: In April 1929, Louise Thaden set a new women’s speed record of 156 mph.
- The Significance: This feat made Thaden the first woman to hold the triple crown of aviation records simultaneously: altitude, endurance, and speed. The NAA was there to certify each leg of her journey, cementing her place as a titan of the skies.
66 Years Ago: The First Eyes in the Sky (April 1, 1960)
Space records aren't always about distance; sometimes they are about capability.
- The Milestone: On April 1, 1960, TIROS-1, the first successful weather satellite, was launched.
- The Validation: The NAA and our partners recognized this as the birth of meteorological space observation. It proved that space wasn't just a destination for explorers but a tool for sustaining life on Earth, a theme that remains central to our mission today.
Fun Fact - Many of the records set in the 1920s and 30s, including those by Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh, were validated using barographs: delicate, paper-drum instruments that recorded pressure changes to prove an aircraft hadn't landed during an endurance run. Today, we use GPS telemetry and cryptographic validation, but the goal remains the same: Absolute Integrity.
| | In 1926, this Record Breaker worked for a coal company. One of her major customers was the Travel Air Corporation in Wichita, Kansas, owned by Walter Beech. Beech saw a spark, offered her a job, and made part of her salary free pilot lessons. She quickly learned to fly and earned her pilot's certificate in 1928. | | |
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is far more than a record-keeper; it is the common thread connecting the titans of industry with the innovators of the future. As we watch the Artemis II crew orbit carry out their remarkable mission, it’s important to recognize that their success is a direct result of the collaboration between several NAA members and partners.
Here is how our members are quite literally building the path to the Moon and beyond.
| | These legacy members represent the backbone of the Artemis architecture. When the NAA certifies a new world record for distance or duration, it is their hardware that made it possible. | | |
|
Lockheed Martin
As the prime contractor for the Orion spacecraft, they are responsible for the crew module, where the four astronauts will live and work during their 10-day journey.
| |
Northrop Grumman
They manufactured the twin Solid Rocket Boosters that provide 75% of the initial thrust at launch, as well as the abort motor for the Launch Abort System.
| |
|
Boeing
They are the lead contractor for the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), which provides the "push" to send Orion toward the moon.
| |
RTX (Collins Aerospace)
Provides critical subsystems, including the secondary structures for Orion and specialized communication components that link the crew to mission control.
| |
|
Airbus
Through a contract with the ESA, Airbus built the European Service Module (ESM). This is essentially the "powerhouse" of Orion, providing propulsion, power, water, and air for the crew.
| | Technical & Systems Support | | |
Howmet Aerospace
Provides forged and cast engine components that help power the SLS rocket and ensure Orion’s structures withstand the extreme vibrations and temperatures of launch and reentry.
| | |
Rolls-Royce North America
While primarily known for aviation, they contribute specialized power and propulsion research and components that support the broader aerospace ecosystem, enabling these missions.
| | |
Click Bond
Their adhesive-bonded components are used to secure structural joints and to mount systems and components, minimizing assembly hole counts, streamlining assembly, and reducing weight.
| | Next Gen Connectors for Artemis | | |
Blue Origin
A major partner for the Artemis program’s future. They are developing the Blue Moon lunar landers for NASA to return astronauts to the Moon.
| | |
Hemlock Films
Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmakers, connecting the Apollo legacy to the Artemis generation.
| | |
Hogan Lovells, US LLP
This law firm often advises space industry participants on the complex legal and regulatory framework governing space endeavors, including compliance with international space treaties and the Artemis Accords.
| | |
Darcy Strategic
This firm specializes in helping aerospace organizations "win" by mapping stakeholder decisions. In the context of Artemis, this involves the complex navigation of public policy, international cooperation
| |
National Aeronautic Innovators Summit
As the aerospace landscape shifts toward autonomous systems and sustainable propulsion, the National Aeronautic Innovators Summit will serve as the premier forum for those bridging the gap between legacy excellence and future disruption. Held in the historic birthplace of aviation, Dayton, Ohio, our summit is designed for leaders who don't just follow industry trends but set them.
| | |
Do you have a record attempt in the works? Did you or a team member achieve a major milestone? We want to hear about it!
Use the guide below to submit your update for our next newsletter.
Submit Your News Here!
| |
What we’re looking for:
- Record Rumors: Are you prepping a bird for a speed or altitude attempt? Give us the "behind-the-scenes" on your prep.
- Workplace or Organization Milestones: Did you or a friend or colleague just hit an anniversary or take part in a successful record attempt, airsport event, or other exciting program?
- Innovator Spotlights: Know a member who just hit a career high or launched a new aerospace project?
- Photo of the Month: Send us your best high-res shot of NAA members in action.
| | |
If the National Aeronautic Association is the U.S. Aviation Validation Authority, then Rod Skaar is its chief navigator. As the Chair of the NAA Contest & Records Board, Rod oversees the rigorous process of turning high-altitude dreams into official, indisputable history.
A Legacy of Service - While Rod’s involvement with the NAA spans decades, he started my aviation career over 40-years ago as an @U.S. Air Force Navigator and served as the Chief Pilot for Boeing Commercial Airplanes until he retired. His leadership ensures that every record attempt, from small-engine efficiency runs to massive orbital milestones, is observed with the highest level of technical scrutiny.
The Guardian of the Sporting Code - Under Rod’s guidance, the Contest & Records Board serves as the independent authority for the administration and documentation of all NAA-sanctioned records. This isn’t just paperwork; it’s the FAI Sporting Code. Rod and his team of expert observers are the ones on the ground (and sometimes in the air) ensuring that every kilometer and every second is verified according to international standards.
A Pillar of the Selection Committee - Rod’s expertise is also vital to our most prestigious awards. He served on the selection committee for both the 2024 & 2025 Collier Trophies, helping to evaluate the extraordinary achievements of six remarkable technologies. His deep understanding of what constitutes a "record-breaking" achievement provides the NAA with the technical bedrock necessary to honor the industry’s greatest innovators.
Air Sport Athlete - Rod is a co-holder of multiple world records for speed around the world and distance flown in 777 and 787 aircraft.
Rod’s commitment to the integrity of aviation records is the backbone of our processes. We don't just tell stories of achievement; we validate them. Rod ensures that when the NAA puts its seal on a record, the world knows it is absolute. - Amy Spowart, President & CEO.
Outside the Boardroom - While Rod is often seen presenting plaques for the "Most Memorable Records" or certifying world-class flights, his true impact is felt in the mentorship he provides to the next generation of official observers, ensuring the NAA’s key keeper legacy remains strong for another century.
| |
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.
| | |
Don't Miss Our News!
Follow Us on Social
| | | | |
