The NBAA Gold Wing Award for Journalism Excellence is presented annually for excellent, accurate and insightful reporting on issues related to business aviation, by trade or non-trade media. The award recognizes journalism’s important role in reporting the significant contributions of business aviation to the national economy, with “business aviation” defined as the use of general aviation aircraft for business purposes. To be eligible, entrants may be either paid staff members or freelancers for the publisher.
All entries for the Gold Wing Award must be submitted via the secure online application form, making the entry process fast and easy. NBAA no longer accepts hardcopy entries. Be sure to review the entry rules below before applying.
The entry period for the 2025 NBAA Gold Wing Award is has passed.
Award Recipients
- 2025: Elan Head, The Air Current
- 2024: Kerry Lynch, Aviation International News
- 2023: Molly McMillin, Aviation Week Network
- 2022: Bill Carey, Business & Commercial Aviation
- 2021: James Wynbrandt, Business Jet Traveler
- 2019: James Wynbrandt, Business Jet Traveler
- 2018: Rob Mark, senior editor, Flying magazine
- 2017: Bill Carey, Aviation International News senior editor
- 2016: Dave Higdon, freelance aviation journalist
- 2015: Mark Phelps, managing editor, AIN Publications
- 2014: Mike Potts, freelance aviation journalist
- 2013: Molly McMillin, Wichita Eagle
- 2012: Matt Thurber of AIN Publications
- 2011: Jeff Burger of Business Jet Traveler
- 2010: Stephen Pope of Aviation International News
- 2009: Rob Mark, Business Jet Traveler
- 2008: Patrick Veillette, Business & Commercial Aviation
- 2007: Paul Lowe, Aviation International News
- 2006: David Esler, Business & Commercial Aviation
- 2005: Mark Phelps, Aviation International News
- 2004: Fred George, Business and Commercial Aviation
- 2003:
- 2002: Staff of Aviation International News
- 2001:
- 2000:
- 1999:
- Martha Brannigan, Wall Street Journal
- Stephen Pope, Aviation International News
- 1998:
- Randall Padfield of Aviation International News
- Peter Greenberg/Conway Cliff of CNBC
- 1997:
- Perry Bradley of Business & Commercial Aviation Magazine
- Dan Lothian/Tony Dill of NBC News
- 1996:
- David Esler of Overhaul & Maintenance magazine
- Jack Elliott of The Star-Legder
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.