Officials with the General Aviation Awards (GAA) Program have revealed the 2026 district honorees for Certificated Flight Instructor, FAA Safety Team Representative, and Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year.
“These standout professionals have now advanced to the final round of judging for the national awards,” officials said, noting the national winners will be announced in mid-March.
“This year’s nominations far exceeded expectations, highlighting the exceptional talent and dedication within our aviation and maintenance communities,” officials continued. “GAA received a record 72 nominations — a 26% increase over the previous year. These nominations represent 34 Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) across the country, marking a 20% growth in reach since 2025.”
2026 honorees are listed below by FSDO:
Aviation Maintenance Technicians District Honorees
- Daniel Folkers: CE01, Des Moines, Iowa
- Mark French: GL23, Belleview, Michigan
- Mark Julicher: SW17, San Antonio, Texas
- David Mohn: GL21, Fargo, N.D.
- Joshua Pengra: SO13, Columbia, S.C.
- Bruce Temple: GL09, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Roger Whittier: WP07, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Galen Wilson: EA63, Bradley, Connecticut
CFI 2026 District Honorees
- Nir Blumenfield: EA07, Baltimore, Maryland
- Claude Clinton III: SW17, San Antonio, Texas
- David Corsiglia: SO11, Atlanta
- Luis Cortez: EA17, Philadelphia
- Rafael Dubena: SO15, Orlando, Florida
- Michael Kloch: NM09, Hillsboro, Oregon
- David Kornreich: EA23, Rochester, N.Y.
- James McCoy: SO13, Columbia, S.C.
- Cade Plunk: CE21, Memphis, Tennessee
- Casey Rice: SO19, Miramar, Florida
- Thomas Sando: GL21, Fargo, N.D.
- Matthew Speare: EA68 Greensboro, N.C.
- Katie Stumbo: WP07, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Martin Szeliga: GL09, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Stephen Tupper: GL23, Belleview, Michigan
- Shane Vande Voort: CE01, Des Moines, Iowa
FAA Safety Team Representatives 2026 District Honorees
- Gary Bake: GL25, Cleveland, Ohio
- Luca Bencini-Tebo: SO19, Miramar, Florida
- Eugene Benson: EA23, Rochester, N.Y.
- Gary Burleson: SO13, Columbia, S.C.
- David Dow: CE21, Memphis, Tennessee
- William Hill: WP25, Sacramento, California
- Michael Jesch: WP05, Long Beach, California
- Brian Johnson: GL23, Belleview, Michigan
- Mandy Johnson: NM13, Spokane, Washington
- Gary Knaggs: GL09, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Seth Lake: SW11, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Daniel Leonard: GL11, Indianapolis
- Charles McConkey: GL07, Columbus, S.C.
- Clinton Pace: SO1, Atlanta
- Keith Paquin: EA21, Richmond, Virginia
- Andreas Pfahnl: GL15, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- James Price: WP07, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Matthew Speare: EA68, Charlotte, N.C.
- Brent Moran: SO15, Orlando, Florida
About the General Aviation Awards Program
Since 1962, the General Aviation Awards (GAA) program has recognized a distinguished group of aviation professionals for their exceptional contributions to flight instruction, aviation maintenance, and flight safety, officials explained.
A partnership between the FAA and more than a dozen industry organizations, the program highlights the vital role these individuals play in advancing aviation safety, education, and professionalism. Honorees are recognized at the local and national levels, with national winners celebrated each July during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in,Wisconsin.
For more information: GeneralAviationAwards.com
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