10/02/2026
The National Aeronautic Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesmen and Stateswomen of Aviation Award! 🏆✈️
Established in 1954, this prestigious honor recognizes living Americans who have made outstanding contributions to aviation over an extended period, demonstrating high integrity, leadership, and unselfish devotion to aerospace progress.
Please join us in celebrating our 2026 honorees:
● Kate Cooper-Jensen — For shattering over 20 world records in human flight, leading historic formation achievements, and raising millions for charitable causes.
● Jeff Goin — For founding national powered paragliding governance, authoring world-leading educational reference manuals, and advancing air sports safety.
● Thomas Haines — For four decades of executive leadership, media excellence, and national advocacy inspiring safe, passionate flight across general aviation.
● Sara Nelson — For transformative leadership advancing aviation safety, workforce protections, and national resilience through principled advocacy.
● Brian Utley — For decades of dedicated service, leadership, and technical stewardship advancing soaring flight, official record validation, and air sports governance.
Celebrate these trailblazers at the NAA Fall Awards Ceremony on November 5, 2026 in Washington, D.C.!
➡️https://zurl.co/4Tijy
AOPA: your freedom to fly EAA - The Spirit of Aviation Air Force Academy (AFA) Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l United States Parachute Association - USPA Soaring Society of America FAI - World Air Sports Federation AVIATION WEEK
Each year, the National Aeronautic Association brings together people from across aviation to celebrate extraordinary accomplishments in flight, air sports, and public service.