List of aviation awards


This list of aviation awards is an index to articles about notable awards given in the field of aviation. It includes a list of awards for winners of competitions or records, a list of awards by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, various other awards and list of aviation halls of fame.

Competitions and records

Awards for speed and distance of flights were popular in the early days of aviation, and some continue today.
CountryAwardSponsorGiven for
United StatesBarringer TrophySoaring Society of AmericaLongest distance soaring flight other than those flown at the US National Contest
United StatesBendix TrophyBendix CorporationTranscontinental, point-to-point race
FranceCoupe Deutsch de la MeurtheAéro-Club de FranceSpeed trial for powered aircraft over a distance of 200 kilometres, to be flown as an outward leg of 100 km followed by a return to the starting point
United KingdomDaily Mail aviation prizesDaily Mail newspaperVarious competitions
InternationalDe la Vaulx MedalFédération Aéronautique InternationaleHolders of recognized absolute world aviation records
United StatesDole Air RaceJames DoleAir race across the Pacific Ocean from northern California to the Territory of Hawaii
FranceFemina CupFemina Woman who, by sunset on 31 December each year, had made the longest flight, in time and distance, without landing
United StatesGordon Bennett TrophyJames Gordon Bennett Jr.Fastest time over a measured distance
United StatesHearst Transcontinental PrizeWilliam Randolph HearstFirst aviator to fly coast to coast across the United States, in either direction, in fewer than 30 days from start to finish. The prize expired in November 1911 without a winner.
GermanyHindenburg CupPaul von HindenburgAchievements in powered flight
United StatesIgor I. Sikorsky Human Powered Helicopter CompetitionAmerican Helicopter Society (AHS) InternationalFirst human powered helicopter to meet a set of extremely challenging flight requirements
InternationalLilienthal Gliding MedalFédération Aéronautique InternationaleRemarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time
InternationalEdison AwardEdison AwardsHonoring excellence in innovation
United StatesMackay TrophyUnited States Air ForceMost meritorious flight of the year
FranceMichelin CupMichelinVarious long-distance flight competition
United StatesOrteig PrizeRaymond OrteigFirst Allied aviator to fly non-stop from New York City to Paris or vice versa
United StatesRichard C. du Pont Memorial TrophySoaring Society of AmericaWinner of U.S. National Open Class Soaring Championship
FranceSchneider TrophyJacques SchneiderWinner of a race for seaplanes and flying boats
United StatesThompson TrophyThompson ProductsThe race was 10 miles long with 50-foot-high pylons marking the turns, and emphasized low altitude flying and maneuverability at high speeds

Society of Experimental Test Pilots awards

The Society of Experimental Test Pilots, an international organization based in the United States, offers or has offered various awards.
AwardGiven for
European Flight Test Safety AwardIndividuals who made significant contributions in the area of safety within flight testing
Friend of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots AwardExceptional and notable contribution to the operation and the objectives of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Herman R. Salmon AwardMost outstanding technical paper published in Cockpit magazine
Iven C. Kincheloe AwardOutstanding professional accomplishment in the conduct of flight testing
James H. Doolittle AwardOutstanding accomplishment in technical management or engineering achievement in aerospace technology
Ray E. Tenhoff AwardMost outstanding technical paper presented at the annual Society of Experimental Test Pilots Symposium
Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety AwardPeople who have significantly contributed to the safety of flight test operations

Other awards

CountryAwardSponsorGiven for
United StatesA. Leo Stevens Parachute MedalNational Air RacesContributions to parachute design and techniques
BrazilOrder of Aeronautical MeritBrazilian Air ForceDistinguished service and exceptional contributions to the Brazilian Air Force
United KingdomAerospace Journalist of the Year AwardsWorld Leadership ForumWriters and broadcasters working in the aerospace and aviation field
United KingdomBritannia TrophyRoyal Aero ClubAviators accomplishing the most meritorious performance in aviation during the previous year
United StatesCharles Taylor Master Mechanic AwardFederal Aviation AdministrationLifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics
United StatesCheney AwardUnited States Air ForceAct of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature
United StatesChief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety AwardUnited States NavySafety based on aircraft flight mishap rates, ground mishaps, currency of safety programs, and flight exposure, etc.
United StatesCollier TrophyNational Aeronautic AssociationGreatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles
United StatesDale Wright AwardNational Air Traffic Controllers AssociationProfessional and exceptional career service to NATCA and the National Airspace System
InternationalEdward Warner AwardInternational Civil Aviation OrganizationAviation pioneers or organizations that have contributed to civil aviation
United StatesEndeavor AwardAngel Flight West, California Science CenterVolunteer pilots and organizations that coordinate their gifts of flight to serve those in need
InternationalFAI Gold Air MedalFédération Aéronautique InternationaleGreat contributions to the development of aeronautics by their activities, work, achievements, initiative or devotion to the cause of aviation
United StatesPaul E. Garber AwardCivil Air PatrolCAP members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP
United StatesGeneral Aviation Awards ProgramFederal Aviation AdministrationIndividual general aviation professionals on the local, regional, and national levels for their contributions to aviation, education, and flight safety
United StatesDaniel Guggenheim MedalAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers etc.Persons who make notable achievements in the advancement of aeronautics
United StatesHarmon TrophyNational Aeronautic AssociationWorld's outstanding aviator, aviatrix, and aeronaut
United StatesHoward Hughes Memorial AwardAero Club of Southern CaliforniaAerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology
United StatesJohn J. Montgomery AwardNational Society of Aerospace Professionals, San Diego Air & Space MuseumAerospace achievement
United StatesL. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in AviationAviation Week & Space TechnologyVisionary and preeminent leader of contemporary aviation
United StatesLangley Gold MedalSmithsonian InstitutionOutstanding contributions to the sciences of aeronautics and astronautics
United StatesLiving Legends of AviationKiddie Hawk Air AcademySignificant contributions to aviation
GermanyLudwig Prandtl RingDeutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und RaumfahrtOutstanding contribution in the field of aerospace engineering
United StatesMaintenance TrophyLockheed MartinTeams are examined on their flight line operations, the quality of their support elements, engineering skills and a team interview
United StatesMichael A. Dornheim AwardNational Press ClubPresented in honor of the late Michael A. Dornheim, a longtime reporter and editor at Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine. The recipient must be a working journalist writing about aerospace, defense, the airline industry, or aerospace science and engineering. The winner gets a $1,000 prize.
United StatesOctave Chanute AwardAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and AstronauticsPilot or test personnel that contributed to the advancement of the art, science, or technology of aeronautics
United StatesOnizuka Prop Wash AwardU.S. Air Force Test Pilot SchoolStudent at the USAF TPS who contributed most to class spirit and morale
AustraliaOswald Watt Gold MedalRoyal Federation of Aero Clubs of AustraliaA most brilliant performance in the air or the most notable contribution to aviation by an Australian or in Australia
United StatesPilot Proficiency Award ProgramFederal Aviation AdministrationGeneral aviation pilots knowledge and proficiency
InternationalPolaris AwardInternational Federation of Air Line Pilots' AssociationsAirline crews in recognition for acts of exceptional airmanship, heroic action or a combination of these two attributes
InternationalSalute to ExcellenceHelicopter Association InternationalOutstanding achievements in the international helicopter community
United KingdomSegrave TrophyRoyal Automobile ClubOutstanding Skill, Courage and Initiative on Land, Water and in the Airfirst person to hold both the land and water speed records simultaneously.
AmericasSICOFAA Legion of Merit MedalSystem of Cooperation Among the American Air ForcesMilitary members or civilians who have contributed to and promoted the interests of SICOFAA
United States and CanadaSuperior Airmanship AwardAir Line Pilots Association, InternationalSuperior airmanship
United StatesTailhooker of the Year AwardTailhook AssociationYearly award given to an individual who has made the most significant contribution to U.S. carrier aviation. Reference to the tailhook of an aircraft carrier based airplane.
United StatesTony Jannus AwardTony Jannus Distinguished Aviation SocietyIndividual achievement in scheduled commercial aviation by airline executives, inventors and manufacturers, and government leaders
United StatesWilliam J. Kossler AwardVertical Flight SocietyGreatest achievement in practical application or operation of rotary wing aircraft
United StatesWright Brothers MedalSAE InternationalNotable contributions in the engineering, design, development, or operation of air and space vehicles
United StatesWright Brothers Memorial TrophyNational Aeronautic AssociationSignificant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States