Latest News


Wednesday, 10 January, 2018

Call for Nominations – 2017 NATA Industry Excellence Awards

Washington, DC, January 10, 2018 – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announces a call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their fields and the highest levels of customer service to the general aviation community.

The Industry Excellence Awards, along with the AMT Employer Awards, will be presented at a luncheon held during NATA’s Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference in June 2018.

Each year, the recipients of the following awards are chosen based upon NATA member-submitted nominations:

The Airport Executive Partnership Award recognizes an airport manager for outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.

The ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award acknowledges the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic or radio repairman who has practiced his or her craft for a period of 20 or more years.

The Excellence In Pilot Training Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.

The Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award recognizes an individual for the positive impact he or she had on safety, service and business success.

The 2016 NATA industry excellence awards winners were:

  • Airport Executive Partnership Award – William T.  Hutto, Jr., A.A.E., PhD, airport director, Auburn University Regional Airport
  • ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award – Jerry Richard Marolt, Jr., senior crew chief, Flexjet
  • Excellence In Pilot Training Award – Denis M. Arbeau, manager of training, Solairus Aviation
  • Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award – Michael Heilpern, operations manager, Monterey Jet Center
Nominations for these awards must be received by NATA no later than March 23, 2018. The nomination form is available by clicking here.

For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.