NAA is planning a cross-country air race for for electric propulsion aircraft! On July 21, Scott Neumann, Director of the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, announced plans at the virtual Electric Aircraft Symposium to resume the Pulitzer air races first held in the 1920's. The winner of the race would be awarded the Pulitzer Trophy, on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The first Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race will be a 2-3 day, 1,000 nm cross-country event beginning on May 16, 2022 in Omaha, NE and ending near Kitty Hawk, NC. The race will be open to piloted aerodynes of all types using zero-emission electric propulsion (i.e. fixed wing aeroplanes, helicopters, or multi-rotor Urban Air Mobility [UAM] vehicles). NAA is also partnering with Carrot, a nationally recognized Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) organization, to leverage the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race as a STEM educational outreach opportunity for fifth and sixth grade students. With the help of sponsors, partners, and contestants, the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race can become the premier venue and showcase for the advancement of practical electric propulsion aircraft in terms of speed, distance, and reliability. For additional about the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race or information on how to join as a sponsor, please visit PulitzerAirRace.org.

Earlier today, NAA announced that Gulfstream became the first company to earn NAA’s new Sustainable Wings certification on roundtrip, record-setting flights from Savannah, GA to San Francisco, CA and back to Savannah.  NAA’s Sustainable Wings certification recognizes records that are set using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF is a fully approved “drop-in” alternative to traditional Jet-A fuel and does not require any testing or modifications prior to use, giving operators an immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. A special “Sustainable Wings Certification” seal will be added to NAA’s Certificate of Record for all flights earning the recognition. More information about the Sustainable Wings certification can be found on the NAA website.

NAA and the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) were honored to moderate a webinar earlier this month featuring the history-making Mars Helicopter from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This one-time event featured a presentation by MiMi Aung, Ingenuity Project Manager, and the Ingenuity Team. While you may not get a chance to ask your questions live, we encourage you to watch the webinar recording and enjoy this event with your friends and family. Please consider NAA and NAHF membership to receive advance notice of future webinars like this.

For almost the entire history of powered flight, NAA has been the caretaker of many of the nation's and the world's most prestigious aviation awards. Part of NAA's mission is identifying and recognizing those who have contributed to the "art, sport and science of aviation and space flight to the United States." The nomination period is now open for the Distinguished Statesman and Stateswoman of Aviation Award, the Brewer Trophy, and the Public Benefit Flying Awards. The deadline to submit a nomination for these awards is August 31, 2021. Additional information, including award criteria, nomination guidelines, and a list of past recipients, is available on the NAA website.