# 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.
| Country | Award | Sponsor | Given for |
| United States | Barringer Trophy | Soaring Society of America | Longest distance soaring flight other than those flown at the US National Contest |
| United States | Bendix Trophy | Bendix Corporation | Transcontinental, point-to-point race |
| France | Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe | Aéro-Club de France | Speed 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 Kingdom | Daily Mail aviation prizes | Daily Mail newspaper | Various competitions |
| International | De la Vaulx Medal | Fédération Aéronautique Internationale | Holders of recognized absolute world aviation records |
| United States | Dole Air Race | James Dole | Air race across the Pacific Ocean from northern California to the Territory of Hawaii |
| France | Femina Cup | Femina (French magazine) | Woman who, by sunset on 31 December each year, had made the longest flight, in time and distance, without landing |
| United States | Gordon Bennett Trophy | James Gordon Bennett Jr. | Fastest time over a measured distance (time trial) |
| United States | Hearst Transcontinental Prize | William Randolph Hearst | First 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. |
| Germany | Hindenburg Cup | Paul von Hindenburg | Achievements in powered flight |
| United States | Igor I. Sikorsky Human Powered Helicopter Competition | American Helicopter Society (AHS) International | First human powered helicopter to meet a set of extremely challenging flight requirements |
| International | Lilienthal Gliding Medal | Fédération Aéronautique Internationale | Remarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time |
| International | Edison Award | Edison Awards | Honoring excellence in innovation |
| United States | Mackay Trophy | United States Air Force | Most meritorious flight of the year |
| France | Michelin Cup | Michelin | Various long-distance flight competition |
| United States | Orteig Prize | Raymond Orteig | First Allied aviator(s) to fly non-stop from New York City to Paris or vice versa |
| United States | Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy | Soaring Society of America | Winner of U.S. National Open Class Soaring Championship |
| France | Schneider Trophy | Jacques Schneider | Winner of a race for seaplanes and flying boats (see also List of Schneider Trophy aircraft) |
| United States | Thompson Trophy | Thompson Products | The race was 10 miles (16 km) long with 50-foot-high (15 m) 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.
| Award | Given for |
| European Flight Test Safety Award | Individuals who made significant contributions in the area of safety within flight testing |
| Friend of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Award | Exceptional and notable contribution to the operation and the objectives of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots |
| Herman R. Salmon Award | Most outstanding technical paper published in Cockpit magazine |
| Iven C. Kincheloe Award | Outstanding professional accomplishment in the conduct of flight testing |
| James H. Doolittle Award | Outstanding accomplishment in technical management or engineering achievement in aerospace technology |
| Ray E. Tenhoff Award | Most outstanding technical paper presented at the annual Society of Experimental Test Pilots Symposium |
| Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award | People who have significantly contributed to the safety of flight test operations |

## Other awards

| Country | Award | Sponsor | Given for |
| United States | A. Leo Stevens Parachute Medal | National Air Races | Contributions to parachute design and techniques |
| Brazil | Order of Aeronautical Merit | Brazilian Air Force | Distinguished service and exceptional contributions to the Brazilian Air Force |
| United Kingdom | Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards | World Leadership Forum | Writers and broadcasters working in the aerospace and aviation field |
| United Kingdom | Britannia Trophy | Royal Aero Club | Aviators accomplishing the most meritorious performance in aviation during the previous year |
| United States | Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award | Federal Aviation Administration | Lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics |
| United States | Cheney Award | United States Air Force | Act of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature |
| United States | Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award | United States Navy | Safety based on aircraft flight mishap rates, ground mishaps, currency of safety programs, and flight exposure, etc. |
| United States | Collier Trophy | National Aeronautic Association | Greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles |
| United States | Dale Wright Award | National Air Traffic Controllers Association | Professional and exceptional career service to NATCA and the National Airspace System |
| International | Edward Warner Award | International Civil Aviation Organization | Aviation pioneers or organizations that have contributed to civil aviation |
| United States | Endeavor Award | Angel Flight West, California Science Center | Volunteer pilots and organizations that coordinate their gifts of flight to serve those in need |
| International | FAI Gold Air Medal | Fédération Aéronautique Internationale | Great contributions to the development of aeronautics by their activities, work, achievements, initiative or devotion to the cause of aviation |
| United States | Paul E. Garber Award | Civil Air Patrol | CAP members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP |
| United States | General Aviation Awards Program | Federal Aviation Administration | Individual general aviation professionals on the local, regional, and national levels for their contributions to aviation, education, and flight safety |
| United States | Daniel Guggenheim Medal | American Society of Mechanical Engineers etc. | Persons who make notable achievements in the advancement of aeronautics |
| United States | Harmon Trophy | National Aeronautic Association | World's outstanding aviator, aviatrix, and aeronaut (balloon or dirigible) |
| United States | Howard Hughes Memorial Award | Aero Club of Southern California | Aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology |
| United States | John J. Montgomery Award | National Society of Aerospace Professionals, San Diego Air & Space Museum | Aerospace achievement |
| United States | L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation | Aviation Week & Space Technology | Visionary and preeminent leader of contemporary aviation |
| United States | Langley Gold Medal | Smithsonian Institution | Outstanding contributions to the sciences of aeronautics and astronautics |
| United States | Living Legends of Aviation | Kiddie Hawk Air Academy | Significant contributions to aviation |
| Germany | Ludwig Prandtl Ring | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt | Outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace engineering |
| United States | Maintenance Trophy | Lockheed Martin | Teams are examined on their flight line operations, the quality of their support elements, engineering skills and a team interview |
| United States | Michael A. Dornheim Award | National Press Club | Presented 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 States | Octave Chanute Award | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | Pilot(s) or test personnel that contributed to the advancement of the art, science, or technology of aeronautics |
| United States | Onizuka Prop Wash Award | U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School | Student at the USAF TPS who contributed most to class spirit and morale |
| Australia | Oswald Watt Gold Medal | Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia | A most brilliant performance in the air or the most notable contribution to aviation by an Australian or in Australia |
| United States | Pilot Proficiency Award Program | Federal Aviation Administration | General aviation pilots knowledge and proficiency (safety) |
| International | Polaris Award | International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations | Airline crews in recognition for acts of exceptional airmanship, heroic action or a combination of these two attributes |
| International | Salute to Excellence | Helicopter Association International | Outstanding achievements in the international helicopter community |
| United Kingdom | Segrave Trophy | Royal Automobile Club | Outstanding Skill, Courage and Initiative on Land, Water and in the Airfirst person to hold both the land and water speed records simultaneously. |
| Americas | SICOFAA Legion of Merit Medal | System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces | Military members or civilians who have contributed to and promoted the interests of SICOFAA |
| United States and Canada | Superior Airmanship Award | Air Line Pilots Association, International | Superior airmanship (safety) |
| United States | Tailhooker of the Year Award | Tailhook Association | Yearly award given to an individual who has made the most significant contribution to U.S. carrier aviation. Reference to the tailhook of an aircraft based airplane. |
| United States | Tony Jannus Award | Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society | Individual achievement in scheduled commercial aviation by airline executives, inventors and manufacturers, and government leaders |
| United States | William J. Kossler Award | Vertical Flight Society | Greatest achievement in practical application or operation of rotary wing aircraft |
| United States | Wright Brothers Medal | SAE International | Notable contributions in the engineering, design, development, or operation of air and space vehicles |
| United States | Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy | National Aeronautic Association | Significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States |

## North American aviation halls of fame
### Geographic

| State/province | Hall of fame | Sponsor / location |
| Alabama | Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame | Southern Museum of Flight |
| Alaska | Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame | Alaska Aviation Museum |
| Alberta, Canada | Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame | Reynolds-Alberta Museum |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame | Butler Center for Arkansas Studies/Arkansas Aviation Historical Society |
| Arizona | Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame | Pima Air & Space Museum |
| California | California Aviation Hall of Fame | Museum of Flying |
| Colorado | Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame | Colorado Aviation Historical Society |
| Delaware | Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame | Friends of Bellanca Airfield |
| Florida | Florida Aviation Hall of Fame | Florida Air Museum |
| Georgia | Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame | Museum of Aviation |
| Idaho | Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame | Boise Airport/Idaho Aviation Association |
| Illinois | Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame | Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame |
| Indiana | Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame | Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame |
| Iowa | Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame | Iowa Aviation Museum |
| Kansas | Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame | Kansas Aviation Museum |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame | Aviation Museum of Kentucky |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Aviation Hall of Fame | Chennault Aviation and Military Museum |
| Michigan | Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame | Air Zoo |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame | Wings of the North Air Museum |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Aviation Hall of Fame | Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum |
| Missouri | Missouri Aviation Hall of Fame | Missouri Aviation Historical Society |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame | Nebraska Aviation Council |
| New Jersey | Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey | Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey |
| New York | Empire State Aviation Hall of Fame | Empire State Aerosciences Museum |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame | North Carolina Aviation Museum |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame | North Dakota Aeronautics Commission |
| Ohio | National Aviation Hall of Fame | National Aviation Hall of Fame |
| Ohio | Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center | Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame | Science Museum Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame | Oregon Aviation Historical Society & Museum |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame | Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Airport/South Carolina Aviation Association |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame | South Dakota Air and Space Museum |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame | Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame | Tennessee Museum of Aviation |
| Texas | Texas Aviation Hall of Fame | Lone Star Flight Museum |
| Utah | Utah Aviation Hall of Fame | Hill Aerospace Museum |
| Virginia | Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame | Shannon Air Museum/Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame | North Central West Virginia Airport/West Virginia Airport Managers Association |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame | Kelch Aviation Museum |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame | University of Wyoming/Wyoming Aeronautics Commission |

### Subject

| State/province | Hall of fame | Sponsor / location |
| Alabama | Army Aviation Hall of Fame | United States Army Aviation Museum |
| California | Aerospace Walk of Honor | City of Lancaster, California |
| Florida | Naval Aviation Hall of Honor | National Naval Aviation Museum |
| Florida | United States Astronaut Hall of Fame | Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex |
| Indiana | AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame | Academy of Model Aeronautics |
| Mississippi | National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame | Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum |
| New York | Soaring Hall of Fame | National Soaring Museum |
| Ohio | Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame | Women in Aviation International |
| Texas | American Combat Airman Hall of Fame | American Airpower Heritage Museum |
| Wisconsin | EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame | EAA Aviation Museum |
| Wisconsin | EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame | EAA Aviation Museum |
| Wisconsin | EAA Ultralights Hall of Fame | EAA Aviation Museum |
| Wisconsin | International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame | EAA Aviation Museum |
| Wisconsin | Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame | EAA Aviation Museum |
| Wisconsin | Warbirds of America Hall of Fame | EAA Aviation Museum |