Safety First, Safety Always: NBAA-BACE to Honor Excellence in Flight Safety

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, [email protected]

Washington, DC, Oct. 8, 2026 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced the 2026 recipients for its Flying Safety Awards for the period ending Dec. 31, 2025.

Hosted by trailblazing pilot, flight instructor, philanthropist and influencer Stephanie Goetz, this year's awards presentation will be front-and-center on the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Horizon Stage from 10:30 - 11 a.m. Tuesday. Oct. 20, immediately following the NBAA-BACE opening session, The Launch.

"Safety is the foundation of everything we do in aviation and it's something that's built flight by flight, decision by decision, over an entire career," said Stephanie Goetz, president and pilot, The Pink Jet. "It's an honor to host the NBAA Safety Awards Ceremony and help recognize the individuals and organizations whose extraordinary commitment to professionalism and safety has made business aviation stronger for all of us."

More than 100 companies and flight departments, as well as hundreds of operators and other industry personnel, are being recognized for accident-free flying. These awards serve as a demonstration of the high degree of professionalism and safety culture within participating companies and the recognition that safety is the cornerstone of business aviation.

"In business aviation, safety is our highest priority and a core value," said NBAA Interim COO Dan Hubbard. "We are pleased that this year, safety will be in focus at NBAA-BACE as never before, with a reenvisioned awards event taking place on the show's largest stage, on the exhibit floor, right at the start of the convention week. We also are proud to host a lineup of industry-leading show-week events to gather top safety experts, as well as an exhibit hall featuring cutting-edge safety technology and more."

The following companies are recognized with NBAA Flying Safety Awards:

NBAA 50-Year Flying Safety Award Recipients:

• The Anschutz Corporation

NBAA 60-Year Flying Safety Award Recipients:

• Cargill
• Eli Lilly & Company

NBAA 75-Year Flying Safety Award Recipients:

• Whirlpool Corp.

In addition to these milestones, NBAA recognizes members in the following categories:

• Commercial Business Flying awards: 14 companies; 789,268 cumulative hours
• Corporate Business Flying awards: 141 companies; 6,601,059 cumulative hours
• Maintenance Department Safety awards: 175 companies
• Pilot Safety Awards: 305 pilots; 1,974,004 cumulative hours
• Scheduler/Licensed Dispatcher Safety awards: 83
• Support Services Safety awards: 252 recipients
• Avionics/Maintenance Technician Safety awards: 175 recipients

The NBAA Flying Safety Awards program was launched in 1953 by NBAA's Board of Directors to promote a culture of safety in business aviation operations. The association is committed to continually enhancing the safety of business aviation and encourages all members to participate in the awards program to gain recognition for their outstanding performance. Learn more about the NBAA Flying Safety Awards.

Additionally, the NBAA Safety Committee offers many resources to promote and support a culture of safety in business aviation operations, including materials, guidance on matters relating to safe operations, safety management system resources and national and regional safety events. Review NBAA's safety resources.

Taking place Oct. 20-22, NBAA-BACE is the world's most powerful business aviation event of the year, showcasing the industry's latest innovations and services, and hosting the leaders who are shaping its future. Learn more about NBAA-BACE.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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