The National General Aviation Awards Program

The National General Aviation Awards Program is a cooperative effort between the FAA and industry sponsors to recognize outstanding Aviation Maintenance Technicians, Avionics Technicians, Certificated Flight Instructors and Aviation Safety Counselors. These awards highlight the important role played by each of these aviation professionals in promoting aviation safety and education.

ELIGIBILITY/SELECTION CRITERIA

• All candidates must have been actively working within their respective aviation fields for a minimum of five (5) years before application / nomination. Candidates must also hold valid FAA airman certificates appropriate to their respective fields. In addition:

• Aviation Maintenance Technician candidates must be actively working within the United States under FAR Part 65;

• Avionics Technician candidates must be actively working within the United States with an FAA certified Part 145 Repair Station;

• Certificated Flight Instructor candidates must be actively working within the United States under FAR Part 61, Part 141 or Part 142;

• Aviation Safety Counselor candidates must be actively involved in the FAA Safety Program within the United States.

• Candidates will be judged based on sustained superior performance in their respective fields as well as specific contributions and accomplishments.

APPLICATION / NOMINATION PACKAGE APPLICATION (pdf format)

• The package should include only the required components listed below. Any additional information contained in the package will be disregarded.

• The completed application / nomination form (2 pages) with supporting documentation for each activity listed

• Photocopy of a government-issued photo identification document

• Photocopies of both sides of all FAA issued airman certificates and designations

• A 1-2 page professional résumé

• A photograph and/or high-resolution JPEG/Bitmap image

• A list of awards and other recognition earned by the candidate

• Three (3) letters of nomination/recommendation (1 or 2 pages) stating why the candidate is deserving of the award. The letters should be distributed in the following manner:

• One (1) letter from a supervisor (employer, SPM, Chief CFI, DPE, etc)

• One (1) letter from a peer or co-worker

• One (1) letter from a client or student who is familiar with the candidate’s work

PROCEDURES & TIMELINES

• All applications / nominations will be submitted to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

• Timeline for Avionics, CFI & AMT candidates:
Received at the local FSDO by October 1^st. FSDO winners will be forwarded to the nine regional FAA offices by November 15^th. The nine regional finalists will be submitted to AFS-803 by January 1^st. The national winners will be announced by March 1^st.

• Timeline for Aviation Safety Counselor candidates:
Received at the local FSDO by August 1^st. FSDO winners will be forwarded to the nine regional FAA offices by September 15^th. The nine regional finalists will be submitted to AFS-803 by September 30^th. The national winner will be announced by November 1^st.

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

• District and regional award recipients will be notified of the time and date of their award ceremonies by their local FSDO Safety Program Managers.

• The national awards are scheduled to be presented by the FAA Administrator in ceremonies during AirVenture.

• Each of the four winners will receive an expense-paid trip for two to AirVenture along with lodging, car rental, weeklong admission and parking passes. 

• Merchandise, prizes and monetary gifts will be presented to each national award recipient.

Evaluation Sheets for GA Awards Judges

CFI Evaluation Sheet
AMT Evaluation Sheet
FAAST Team Evaluation Sheet