NAAA Award Nominations Due by August 5
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Whether it’s an up-and-coming pilot with a bright future or a longtime NAAA member whose service has strengthened the industry or their community, now is the time to honor their contributions. Nominations for the 2026 NAAA Awards are due August 5. Help shine a spotlight on the individuals whose dedication and leadership make agricultural aviation stronger by submitting a nomination today. NAAA’s online submission form is easy and quick to use; nominate someone in just a few clicks here.
Who will be among this year’s awardees? There are nine NAAA Award categories and one NAAREF Award. Nominations are due Aug. 5.
NAAA Award Categories
- Agrinaut Award: Honors an agricultural aircraft operator, operating organization, or allied member company that has made an outstanding contribution in the field of ag aircraft operations. The achievement cited shall have contributed to the “state-of-the-art” for the benefit of the agricultural aircraft industry as a whole.
- Delta Air Lines “Puffer” Award: Recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the design of agricultural aircraft and/or related equipment.
- Evans-Christopher Operation S.A.F.E. Award: Recognizes individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the Operation S.A.F.E. program. (Presented by NAAREF.)
- John Robert Horne Memorial Award: Honors a pilot with five or fewer years of experience in the agricultural aviation industry who has an exemplary safety record and has contributed to safety in ag aviation.
- Larsen-Miller Community Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by a member to his or her community.
- Opal and Bill Binnion Memorial Award: Acknowledges those who contribute to NAAA in its efforts to educate the public about aerial application.
- Richard “Dick” Reade Allied Memorial Award: Recognizes NAAA members or staff and/or an allied industry individual who has significantly contributed their efforts for the benefit of the allied industry and the aerial application industry.
- William O. Marsh Safety Award: Recognizes significant achievements in safety, safety education or an outstanding operational safety program.
- Zoren and Joan O’Brien Memorial Outstanding Service Award: Awards outstanding service to the commercial agricultural aviation industry or to its association.
The 2026 NAAA Award recipients will be honored at the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet at this year’s Ag Aviation Expo on November 18 in Savannah, GA.