The Board of Directors of the General Aviation Awards (GAA) Program has announced 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. The national winners are scheduled to be announced in mid-March.
According to GAA officials, this year’s nominations far exceeded expectations, highlighting the exceptional talent and dedication within our aviation and maintenance communities. 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 2025 District Honorees
- Daniel Folkers – CE01, Des Moines, IA
- Mark French – GL23, Belleview, MI
- Mark Julicher – SW17, San Antonio, TX
- David Mohn – GL21, Fargo, ND
- Joshua Pengra – SO13, Columbia, SC
- Bruce Temple – GL09, Grand Rapids, MI
- Roger Whittier – WP07, Scottsdale, AZ
- Galen Wilson – EA63, Bradley, CT
Certificated Flight Instructors 2026 District Honorees
- Nir Blumenfield – EA07, Baltimore, MD
- Claude Clinton III – SW17, San Antonio, TX
- David Corsiglia – SO11, Atlanta, GA
- Luis Cortez – EA17, Philadelphia, PA
- Rafael Dubena – SO15, Orlando, FL**
- Michael Kloch – NM09, Hillsboro, OR
- David Kornreich – EA23, Rochester, NY
- James McCoy – SO13, Columbia, SC
- Cade Plunk – CE21, Memphis,TN
- Casey Rice – SO19, Miramar, FL
- Thomas Sando – GL21, Fargo, ND**
- Matthew Speare – EA68 Greensboro, NC
- Katie Stumbo – WP07, Scottsdale, AZ
- Martin Szeliga – GL09, Grand Rapids, MI
- Stephen Tupper – GL23, Belleview, MI
- Shane Vande Voort – CE01, Des Moines, IA
FAA Safety Team Representatives 2026 District Honorees
- Gary Baker – GL25, Cleveland, OH
- Luca Bencini-Tebo – SO19, Miramar, FL
- Eugene Benson – EA23, Rochester, NY
- Gary Burleson – SO13, Columbia, SC
- David Dow – CE21, Memphis,TN
- William Hill – WP25, Sacramento, CA
- Michael Jesch – WP05, Long Beach, CA
- Brian Johnson – GL23, Belleview, MI
- Mandy Johnson – NM13, Spokane, WA
- Gary Knaggs – GL09, Grand Rapids, MI
- Seth Lake – SW11, Little Rock, AR
- Daniel Leonard – GL11, Indianapolis, IN
- Charles McConkey – GL07, Columbus, SC
- Clinton Pace SO11 – Atlanta, GA
- Keith Paquin – EA21, Richmond, VA
- Andreas Pfahnl – GL15, Minneapolis, MN
- James Price – WP07, Scottsdale, AZ
- Matthew Speare – EA68, Charlotte, NC
- Brent Moran – SO15, Orlando, FL
**Rafael Dubena & Thomas Sando also received Distinguished CFI awards through the AOPA Flight Training Awards program. For information about GAA, or to donate, visit www.generalaviationawards.com
