Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence
The Aero Club of Washington was originally founded to promote the Wright Brothers and their efforts. Their initial achievement defined aviation, established excellence as a standard and placed America in a role of global preeminence. The Aero Club seeks to commemorate the Wright Brothers’ historic actions by awarding an annual Trophy for Aviation Excellence.
Recognizing Excellence in Aviation
The Engen Trophy recognizes exceptional achievement in aviation, honoring an individual, team, corporation, or organization whose contributions reaffirm the Wright Brothers’ standard of excellence. The award may recognize a lifetime of achievement, a single extraordinary event, or a distinguished series of accomplishments.
Admiral Don Engen
In 1999, after the tragic death of Admiral Don Engen, director of the National Air & Space Museum at the time, the Aero Club Board voted to present the Trophy to Don Engen posthumously. It was accepted in October 1999 by his widow, Mary Engen. The Board had also voted to name the Trophy after Don Engen, and at that same luncheon, the Trophy became the “Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence.” The permanent Trophy resides in the National Air & Space Museum.
Engen Trophy nomination deadline: March 31, 2026
2026 Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence Recipient: The Honorable Elaine L. Chao
The Aero Club of Washington was honored to present the 2026 Engen Trophy to The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor, at an Aero Club Luncheon on July 28, 2026. One of the longest-serving Cabinet members in U.S. history, Secretary Chao has made lasting contributions to America’s transportation and aviation systems. During her tenure as Secretary of Transportation, she helped guide the aviation industry through the COVID-19 pandemic, advanced the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems and emerging technologies, and championed initiatives to strengthen the aviation workforce. Her commitment to safety, innovation, and the people who power the industry has left a lasting impact on American aviation.
Past Recipients
- 1993 – Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines
- 1994 – Senator Wendell Ford, U.S. Senate
- 1995 – Edward W. Stimpson, GAMA
- 1996 – Joint FAA/JAA 777 Certification Team
- 1997 – James A. Wilding, MWAA
- 1998 – Robert Crandall, American Airlines
- 1999 – Donald D. Engen
- 2000 – Najeeb Halaby
- 2001 – L. Welch Pogue
- 2002 – Alan S. Boyd
- 2003 – Not Awarded
- 2004 – Don Lopez, NASM
- 2005 – STS-114 Discovery Shuttle Crew
- 2006 – Scott Crossfield
- 2007 – Langhorne Bond
- 2008 – Phil Boyer
- 2009 – William DeCota
- 2010 – Carl W. Vogt
- 2011 – Jane Garvey
- 2012 – National Aviation Hall of Fame
- 2013 – The Tuskegee Airmen
- 2014 – Charles “Chip” Barclay
- 2015 – Will Ris
- 2016 – Walter J. Boyne
- 2017 – J. Randolph Babbitt
- 2018 – Margaret Jenny
- 2019 – Carl Burleson
- 2020 – Michael Quiello
- 2021 – Linda Hall Daschle
- 2022 – Stephen Alterman
- 2023 – Ambassador Carol B. Hallett
- 2024 – Mark Baker
- 2025 – Mary Miller & Pete Bunce
- 2026 – Former U.S. Secretary Elaine L. Chao
