Join Us in Giving Back

WHAT WE DO

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Each year since 1962, the General Aviation Awards (GAA) Program and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have recognized aviation professionals for their contributions to general aviation in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance, and safety.

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The selection process begins at the FAA Flight Standards District Offices selecting district-level winners in each of the three categories. These winners then go to FAA regional offices where regional winners are selected. The regional winners are then reviewed by a panel of distinguished industry judges in each category, who select the three national winners.

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National winners receive a trip to the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh each July, where they are recognized by the FAA Administrator and other high-ranking FAA Safety Team officials, receive a high-quality wooden plaque, have their names added to the perpetual plaque in the EAA Museum, and are fêted at an awards luncheon where they receive gifts donated by industry sponsors.

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WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

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GAA is run by volunteers serving without compensation. However, the Program requires $15,000 per year to assure the three Honorees receive the recognition they deserve. Funds pay for travel and lodging, the awards luncheon, plaques, lapel pins, and gifts for the national honorees. While donations from industry have always been central to the Program and demonstrate the commitment of the aviation industry, these alone do not cover our annual operating costs. We therefore ask for your support to hold a truly stellar 2025 award ceremony at AirVenture. Sponsors receive publicity through press releases, our website, the annual GAALive! broadcast featuring the Honorees, and exposure to 400,000+ pilots. If you are interested in a named sponsorship, please contact us. Your support means we can continue to recognize accomplished aviation professionals for years to come!