Artwork above – 1st Place: Hayun Kim – Tennessee
The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and National Aeronautic Association (NAA) have announced the national winners of the 2026 FAI Young Artists Contest. This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” inspired hundreds of students across the country to illustrate the heroic role of aviation in emergency response, medical relief, and community safety. Contest judging was conducted by aviation and education professionals with special guest, retired NASA astronaut Frank Lee Culbertson.
Managed by NASAO in partnership with the NAA, the contest challenges youth aged 6 to 17 to explore the intersection of air sports, aeronautics, and social impact. The 2026 theme specifically highlighted how aircraft, from helicopters and drones to fixed-wing planes, serve as lifelines during natural disasters, wildfires, and medical emergencies.
“It’s exciting for those of us in the aviation industry to see the talent and effort these young people put into their entries,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO president and CEO. “This year’s theme ‘Fly to Save Lives’ captured the imagination of young people, spotlighting an often underappreciated sector of aviation. From fighting fires to transporting organs for donation, their artwork creatively demonstrates the ways aviation is utilized by first-responders, medical professionals, and more to deliver life-saving aid. Congratulations to our winners and everyone who entered the contest! We hope their passion for art and aeronautics inspires these artists to always be aware of the role aviation plays in our lives.”
“The creativity and technical skill displayed by this year’s participants were truly remarkable,” said Amy Spowart, NAA president and CEO. “These young artists didn’t just draw aircraft; they captured the spirit of hope and service that defines the aviation community. By imagining how flight saves lives, they are already contributing to the future of our industry.”
2026 U.S. National Winners
The winning entries were selected from a highly competitive pool of finalists submitted by participating states. The first, second, and third-place winners in each category will now advance to the international judging round at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to compete against artists from around the world. Click here to view U.S. winning entries.
Junior Category (Ages 6–9)
1st Place: Aaron Chen – North Carolina
2nd Place: Leia Scarborough – North Carolina
3rd Place: Nandita Yaddanapudi – Tennessee
Intermediate Category (Ages 10–13)
1st Place: Hayun Kim – Tennessee
2nd Place: Lottie Schmutz – Wyoming
3rd Place: Carolynn Kim – North Carolina
Senior Category (Ages 14–17)
1st Place: Kiersten Hans – Nebraska
2nd Place: Rumy Lee – Nevada
3rd Place: Kyra Reuber – Kansas
