The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has announced that Mark R. Baker and Bruce Landsberg have been selected as the co‑recipients of the 2026 Neil Armstrong Outstanding Achievement Award.
Distinguished leaders in general aviation, Baker and Landsberg have each made profound and lasting contributions to aviation safety, education, and pilot advocacy, collectively elevating the culture of safety across the industry.
Mark Baker, retired President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), has dedicated his career to expanding access to general aviation and strengthening the voice of pilots nationwide. A highly accomplished aviator with more than 10,000 hours of flight experience, Baker advanced pilot engagement and safety through his leadership of AOPA, the AOPA Foundation, and the International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations. His efforts to modernize industry outreach, promote airport and airspace protections, and grow the aviation community have helped ensure a strong future for general aviation.
Bruce Landsberg, retired Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, has shaped the national culture of aviation safety through decades of distinguished service. During his tenure with the AOPA Air Safety Foundation and Air Safety Institute, Landsberg earned international recognition for advancing safety education, producing industry‑leading training resources, and delivering thousands of seminars and publications to pilots nationwide. With more than 7,500 hours of flight experience and a career spanning the U.S. Air Force, Cessna Aircraft Company, Flying magazine, and Flight Safety International, Landsberg has been a steadfast advocate for data‑driven safety innovation and pilot proficiency. He is a recipient of the FAA‘s Wright Brothers Master Pilot award.
Together, Baker and Landsberg have set new standards for aviation leadership, strengthening pilot education, expanding safety awareness, and promoting responsible, lifelong aviation citizenship. Their combined efforts have had a transformative impact on the general aviation community and exemplify the enduring legacy of the Armstrong Award.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition alongside Bruce,” said Baker. “General aviation is built on a shared commitment to safety, education, and opportunity, and I am proud to have contributed to that mission.”
“This award reflects the collective efforts of so many individuals dedicated to improving aviation safety,” said Landsberg. “It has been a privilege to serve a community that is committed to learning, improving, and making flight safer for everyone.”
Says NAHF Trustee and Chair of the Awards Committee Pat Waddick, “Mark Baker and Bruce Landsberg embody the very best of aviation leadership through their lifelong dedication to advancing safety, education, and advocacy. Their contributions have strengthened the foundation of our aviation community and inspired generations of pilots.”
Baker and Landsberg will be honored at the President’s Reception on September 23, 2026, as part of the NAHF’s 62nd Annual Enshrinement events in Washington, D.C. Aviation enthusiasts, industry leaders, and returning Enshrinees are expected to attend two days of events celebrating excellence in aviation. Events are open to the public with advance registration. For more information, visit nationalaviation.org or call (937) 256-0944 ext.16.
