The Aero Club of Washington is pleased to host a Members-Only Breakfast on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This special program will feature a panel discussion with Members of Congress who are directly involved in aviation policy, and provide a unique opportunity for Aero Club members to engage with policymakers in a more intimate setting. Please note: Rep. Dina Titus, who was previously announced as a panelist, is no longer able to participate due to unforeseen circumstances.
Different from our regular luncheons, this event will offer:
Individual ticket sales only (no tables)
Open seating to encourage conversation and networking
Exclusive access for Aero Club members. You may register up to five total attendees, provided each person is a current member. Membership will be verified.
Recognition Sponsorship – Highlight your organization’s support and gain visibility at the event. Sponsorship does not include seating; individual tickets must be purchased separately.
Refund Policy:Refund requests will be approved up to one week prior to the event. After September 10th, refunds will not be issued. Tickets are not transferrable to future Aero Club events.
For Immediate Release July 17, 2025 Contact: Stephanie Griffith stephanie@aeroclub.org (703) 386-4330
The Aero Club of Washington Names NTSB and Federal, State, and Local DCA Crash First Responders as 2025 Persons of the Year
Washington, DC – The Aero Club of Washington proudly recognizes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the dedicated federal, state, and local first responders who led the emergency response during the January 29, 2025 midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), naming them the 2025 Persons of the Year.
Established by the Aero Club of Washington’s Board of Governors in 2024, this honor is presented to individuals or groups who have made a positive and significant impact on aviation at the national level within the preceding 18 months. In the immediate aftermath of the DCA crash that claimed the lives of 67 individuals, these professionals demonstrated exceptional coordination, courage, and commitment to safety. Their swift response, technical expertise, and compassionate service ensured a thorough and transparent investigation critical to strengthening our national aviation system.
In recognizing the NTSB and the first responders from across agencies and jurisdictions, the Aero Club honors a shining example of public service at its finest. Their actions reflect the highest ideals of our nation, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment during one of the most challenging moments in recent aviation history.
“The individuals we honor this year exemplify what it means to serve with integrity and professionalism,” said Steve Morrissey, President of the Aero Club of Washington. “When the call came, they dropped everything and rushed to the aid of those in need. Their actions reinforce that aviation safety depends not only on technology and procedures but on the people who dedicate themselves to the mission. We honor their service with this award.”
“After the devastating midair collision near DCA, the world saw what I have the privilege of seeing every day: dedicated safety professionals, all experts in their fields, working with quiet determination to draw knowledge from tragedy to improve safety for all—work we could not accomplish without our vital federal, state, and local partners, many of whom supported search-and-recovery efforts and assisted in our on-scene investigative work,” said NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. “The difficult yet vital work of these public servants makes each of us safer. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.”
The Aero Club of Washington will present the Persons of the Year Award at the 77th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on Thursday, December 11th at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. Joan Sullivan Garrett, Founder of MedAire, will also be honored with the National Aeronautic Association’s 2025 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy at the same event. For more information, please visit www.aeroclub.org.
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Background on the Aero Club of Washington
As an industry cornerstone, the Aero Club of Washington is dedicated to providing a forum for discussion of aviation and aerospace issues and achievements. Hosting hundreds of national and international aerospace leaders at its monthly luncheon meetings over the years, the Aero Club has fostered and promoted interest in the principles and development of aeronautics since 1909.
The Marriott Marquis 901 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 (map & directions)
Please submit all government guest invitation requests to stephanie@aeroclub.org by July 21st.
Refund Policy: Refund requests will be approved up to one week prior to the event. After July 22nd, refunds will not be issued. Tickets are not transferrable to future Aero Club luncheons.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 26, 2025 – The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced today that Joan Sullivan Garrett has been selected to receive the 2025 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for her pioneering work in aviation telemedicine.
“The NAA’s Wright Trophy recognizes a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States,” said Amy Spowart, President and CEO, NAA. “Joan’s visionary leadership and dedication have enhanced aviation safety for over four decades, permanently raising industry standards and saving countless lives. Her innovation embodies the spirit and legacy of the Wright Brothers.”
In 1983, Sullivan Garrett, then a critical care flight nurse, responded with her helicopter crew to a vehicle rollover accident in remote Arizona. Among many victims was an 8-year old boy named Ralphie who tragically could not be saved. Her time with this child made a lasting impression and became the impetus and inspiration to found MedAire in 1985. The company focused on addressing aviation medical preparedness. Her vision for MedAire was to provide flight crews with knowledge, skill, resources, and access to medical expertise to manage in-flight medical emergencies. Initially, she introduced the industry’s first Manual for In-flight Medical Care and updated medical kits. In 1987, she launched MedLink, the first 24/7 global aviation medical response center staffed with emergency physicians. Today, MedAire is the world’s leading provider of remote medical safety and security services, managing approximately 900 emergency calls daily, over 157,000 cases in 2024 alone. The company serves over 180 airlines worldwide and 6,800 private aircraft, significantly enhancing aviation safety.
“Through innovation, resilience, and the fortitude to challenge norms, the Wright brothers changed the world,” said Sullivan Garrett. “To be cast in their light is humbling to the core. I am deeply honored. And I’m hopeful the brothers’ legacy, the Wright Memorial Trophy, and all those who have received it serve as a testament to aeronautical professionals everywhere: you can make a difference. My heartfelt thanks to both the NAA and selection committee members.”
Since 1948, the Wright Trophy, which is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, has been presented in partnership with NAA member the Aero Club of Washington. This year’s celebration will occur at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, D.C., on December 11, 2025. Tickets and sponsorship will be available on the Aero Clubs website, and like last year, the event is expected to sell out.
“The Aero Club was honored to celebrate last year’s recipient, the late Ben Baldanza, with a capacity crowd,” said Steve Morrissey, Aero Club of Washington President. “This year, thanks to the hard work of the Wright Trophy Selection Committee, we have another worthy recipient to celebrate.”
The 2025 Wright Memorial Trophy Selection Committee are:
Jim Albaugh, National Aeronautic Association (NAA)
Richard Aboulafia, AeroDynamic Advisory
Paul Archambeault, Airlines for America (A4A)
Marcia & Enzo Baldanza (for the late Ben Baldanza), Wright Trophy Recipient
Albert Berchtold, United States Parachute Association (USPA)
Charles F. Bolden, Wright Trophy Recipient
Nicola Fox, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Steve Morrissey, Aero Club of Washington
Dorothy Reimold, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)
Jim Sherman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
National Aeronautic Association The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the nation’s oldest aviation organization, is a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for full participation in aviation activities and fostering public understanding of the significance of aviation and space flight in the United States. The NAA is the steward of some of the most prestigious aviation awards globally and certifies all national aviation records set in the United States, playing a crucial role in promoting and recognizing excellence in aviation.
Aero Club of Washington As an industry cornerstone, the Aero Club of Washington is dedicated to providing a forum for discussion of aviation and aerospace issues and achievements. Hosting hundreds of national and international aerospace leaders at its monthly luncheon meetings over the years, the Aero Club has fostered and promoted interest in the principles and development of aeronautics since 1909.
The Westin Washington DC Downtown Rock Creek Ballroom 999 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001 (map & directions)
Please submit all government guest invitation requests to stephanie@aeroclub.org by June 17th.
Refund Policy: Refund requests will be approved up to one week prior to the event. After June 19th, refunds will not be issued. Tickets are not transferrable to future Aero Club luncheons.
Join the Aero Club of Washington on June 26th as we welcome Congressman Rick Larsen and honor two aviation industry luminaries with the 2025 Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence: Mary Miller, former Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs, Signature Aviation and Pete Bunce, former President and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). View the Engen Trophy press release.
Capital Hilton Hotel Congressional/Senate Ballroom 1001 16th St NW Washington, DC 20036 (map & directions)
Please submit all government guest invitation requests to stephanie@aeroclub.org by June 2nd.
Refund Policy: Refund requests will be approved up to one week prior to the event. After June 3rd, refunds will not be issued. Tickets are not transferrable to future Aero Club luncheons.
The Board of Governors of the Aero Club of Washington is pleased to announce that they will honor two aviation industry luminaries with the 2025 Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence: Mary Miller, former Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs, Signature Aviation and Pete Bunce, former President and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Both Miller and Bunce have recently retired from their long-held and distinguished positions dedicated to advocating for general and business aviation.
Westin Washington DC Downtown Hotel Anacostia Ballroom 999 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001 (map & directions)
Please submit all government guest invitation requests to stephanie@aeroclub.org by April 18th.
Refund Policy: Refund requests will be approved up to one week prior to the event. After April 23rd, refunds will not be issued. Tickets are not transferrable to future Aero Club luncheons.
Are you a young professional working in aviation or new to the industry? Then this Aero Club Runway Program event is for you! Enjoy networking with colleagues over a cocktail while exploring immersive exhibits, flight simulations, and more at the Airbus Experience Center.
Limited number of tickets available. Registration required by April 25th.
