2027 General Aviation Awards Nominations: Recognizing the Pioneers of Aviation
The general aviation community is once again set to honor its unsung heroes. The General Aviation Awards (GAA), a prestigious program that celebrates the leading professionals in flight instruction, aircraft maintenance, and aviation safety, has officially started accepting nominations for its 2027 awards cycle. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2026.
Since 1962, the program has been a joint effort between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry sponsors. Each year, it recognizes three exceptional individuals: the National Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) of the Year, the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) of the Year, and the FAA FAASTeam Representative of the Year. Nominees are chosen by their peers from across the nation, with the selection process commencing at the district level through Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs).
The 2026 winners were honored in a grand ceremony at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July, at the Theatre in the Woods, presented by then-deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. These annual awards underscore the vital roles these professionals play in fostering aviation safety, education, and professionalism within the GA community.
Flight schools, aviation organizations, universities, and individual pilots are all urged to nominate deserving candidates. Nominations can be submitted at generalaviationawards.com/nominate.
Source: AvBrief, September 10, 2026 | State Aviation Journal, September 7, 2026