National Aeronautic Association

National Aeronautic Association
AbbreviationNAA
Formation1905; 119 years ago (1905)
TypeNot for profit
PurposeAviation advocacy
Location
Chair
James Albaugh
President and CEO
Amy Spowart
Websitenaa.aero

The National Aeronautic Association of the United States (NAA) is federally recognized non-profit 501(c)(3), and a founding member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Founded in 1905, the NAA is the oldest national aviation organization in the United States and one of the oldest in the world. The NAA is dedicated to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation in the United States.

The NAA is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

History

When the NAA was founded, its roots were planted firmly on the ground.

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 Vanderbilts, Gliddens, 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 the NAA 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 called the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The FAI aims to foster aeronautical activities worldwide and establish the rules for record-setting and competition.

Today, the NAA is the most prominent member of FAI and is responsible for appointing representatives to 15 major FAI air sport and technical committees. The NAA also represents U.S. interests in aviation at the FAI’s Annual General Conference.

Mission

The NAA is a federally recognized 501c3 whose mission is to oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight.

The NAA achieves this by:

  • Developing 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;
  • Representing U.S. aviation throughout the world as the U.S. National Air Sport Control (NAC) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale;
  • Encouraging, coordinating, documenting, and promoting competition and record-making aviation and space events following the rules prescribed by the FAI;
  • Recognizing and rewarding those who make outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation and space flight through presentations of awards and other honors;
  • Endorsing sound national programs and other efforts designed to help the U.S. remain a leader in aviation and space flight;
  • Supporting and encouraging aviation and space education programs; and
  • Promoting and encouraging public participation in and appreciation of U.S. aviation and space activities.

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] to include those of balloons, airships, airplanes, (landplanes, seaplanes, amphibians, 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 a wide variety of records including altitude, time-to-climb, distance, speed, greatest payload carried, and efficiency. As the U.S. representative to FAI, the National Aeronautic Association is the sole authority for overseeing and certifying all aviation records that take place within 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 NAA Director of Contest and Records, Arthur W. Greenfield. It is easy to carry out a record attempt with an ordinary plane, but there is some paperwork and verification involved.[1]

Contest and Record Board Members (as of January 1, 2012)
  • Rodney M. Skaar, Chairman
  • Richard A. Ionata, Vice-Chairman
  • A.W. Greenfield, Secretary
  • Bernard R. Gross
  • Kristan R. Maynard
  • Scott A. Neumann
  • Brian G. Utley
  • Sandy Anderson
Advisory Panel
  • Larry E. Steenstry
  • David B. Higginbotham
  • Ardyth M. Williams

Aviation trophies and awards

For almost the entire history of powered flight, NAA has been the caretaker of many of the nation's and the world's most prestigious aviation awards. NAA's mission is to identify and recognize those who have contributed to the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight to the United States.

The NAA appreciates and values that when people and groups receive recognition for their hard work several things happen.

  • Entities that earned it are provided with a vital boost to continue in their excellence.
  • Winners gain a sense of fulfillment.
  • Public recognition inspires others…today's success drives future success.

The NAA creates positive opportunities to reward achievement and propel continued excellence in every sector of aviation.

  • Robert J. Collier Trophy: Established 1910- 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.
  • Mackay Trophy: Established 1912- is awarded for the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons, or organization. The Trophy is administered by the NAA and is presented in conjunction with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
  • Harmon Trophy for Aeronautics: Established 1926- is awarded annually for the most outstanding international achievement in the art and/or science of aeronautics (ballooning) for the previous year.
  • Frank G. Brewer Trophy: Established 1943- 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.
  • Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy: Established 1948- is awarded to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.
  • Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman and Stateswoman of Aviation Award: Established 1954, 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.
  • Clifford W. Henderson Trophy: Established 1960- 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.
  • Katharine Wright Trophy: Established 1981- 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.
  • Public Benefit Flying Awards: Established 1983. A set of national awards designed to recognize the significant contributions to the Nation of volunteer-based Public Benefit Flying and the outstanding work of the individuals and organizations engaged in this humanitarian activity. Administered jointly by NAA and the Air Care Alliance there are five categories for this award: Distinguished Volunteer Pilot, Distinguished Volunteer, Outstanding Achievement in Advancement of Public Benefit Flying, Public Benefit Flying Teamwork Award, and Champion of Public Benefit Flying.
  • Katherine & Marjorie Stinson Trophy: Established 1997- is awarded to 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.
  • Bruce Whitman Trophy: Established 2019- 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.  
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 our mission.

Many ASOs serve as the introduction or gateway to commercial and business aviation. They are also competitive disciplines for many Americans and lifelong hobbies for thousands more. To foster their 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.

Tens of thousands of people belong to ASOs in the United States, representing aerobatics, aeromodelling, ballooning, gliding, helicopters, ultralights, and parachuting.

NAA delegates each ASO as the official governing body for their respective air sports. NAA and the ASOs meet regularly, which helps produce a better understanding of each organization's unique challenges. This cooperation also prepares the NAA for its representational responsibilities with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) internationally.

Air Sport Organizations

NAA leadership

Officers
  • Jim Albaugh, Chair
  • Samantha Magill, Vice Chair, NASA
  • Elizabeth Matarese, Secretary, FAA (Retired)
  • Ted Ellett, General Counsel, Hogan Lovells
  • Amy Spowart, President and CEO
Board of Directors
  • Nicole Alexander, Aero Club of Wichita
  • Darby Becker, Aero Club of Washington
  • Jeremy Beyer, The Boeing Company
  • 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
  • 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
  • Martin Palmaz, U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
  • 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
  • Tonya Sudduth, Bombardier
  • Brad Thress, FlightSafety International
  • Anthony L. Velocci, Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine (Retired)
  • James Viola, Vertical Aviation International
  • Patty Wagstaff, Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety, LLC
  • Clyde Woltman, Leonardo Helicopters, U.S.A.
  • Claudia Zapata-Cardone, United Airlines

NAA membership

NAA has five groups of members: Corporate, Air Sport, Affiliate, Aero Clubs, and Individuals.

Corporate members
Air Sport members
Affiliate members
Aero Club members
  • 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

References

  1. ^ a b "Any Pilot Can Set a Speed Record". Flying Magazine. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  2. ^ Records Downloads NAA

External links

  • National Aeronautic Association
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