Ben Baldanza to be Honored with 2024 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
On June 17, 2024 the National Aeronautic Association announced that former Spirit Airlines President & CEO, Ben Baldanza, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for “… his 38 years of dedicated service to the U.S. airline industry and his visionary leadership in introducing the ultra-low-cost model to the United States, which has expanded access to air travel to tens-of-millions of Americans.”
Baldanza will be presented with the Wright Trophy at the Aero Club of Washington’s 76th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on December 13, 2024 in Washington, DC.
2023 Wright Memorial Dinner Honoring Capt. Robert Crippen
The 2023 Wright Memorial Dinner was held on Friday, December 15, 2023 and honored Capt. Robert Crippen for “… his devotion to public service and the advancement of American aerospace; his achievements as an aviator, astronaut, and leader; and his selfless dedication to the future of humankind.”
Registration Closed: 75th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner
The Aero Club of Washington’s
75th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner
Honoring Capt. Robert L. Crippen, USN (Ret.)
Recipient of the NAA Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for 2023
“Honor, Dedication, Inclusion: Leading the Way to Excellence”
Friday, December 15, 2023
The Westin Washington, DC Downtown Hotel
(formerly the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel)
Potomac Ballroom
999 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
6:30 p.m. – Reception
7:30 p.m. – Dinner and Award Ceremony
Black Tie or Military Equivalent
Room Block: The Aero Club has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate of $139 for the nights of December 14 and 15. Reservations can be made here though November 23.
Registration Closed
Robert Crippen to be Honored with 2023 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
On September 12, 2023, the National Aeronautic Association announced that Captain Robert Crippen, USN (Ret.) has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for “… his devotion to public service and the advancement of American aerospace; his achievements as an aviator, astronaut, and leader; and his selfless dedication to the future of humankind.”
Crippen will be presented with the Wright Trophy at the Aero Club of Washington’s 75th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on December 15, 2023 in Washington, DC.
2022 Wright Memorial Dinner Honoring Colonel Eileen Collins
The 2022 Wright Memorial Dinner was held on Friday, December 16, 2022 and honored Colonel Eileen Collins for “… her perseverance in the advancement of aviation and aerospace as a teacher, astronaut, and leader, and for serving as an inspiration for all those seeking to break barriers in their field.”
Colonel Eileen Collins to be Honored with 2022 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
On September 15, 2022, the National Aeronautic Association announced that Colonel Eileen Collins, USAF (Ret.) has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for … “her perseverance in the advancement of aviation and aerospace as a teacher, astronaut, and leader, and for serving as an inspiration for all those seeking to break barriers in their field.”
Collins will be presented with the Wright Trophy at the Aero Club of Washington’s 74th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner on December 16, 2022, in Washington, DC.
73rd Annual Wright Memorial Dinner Honored General Charles Bolden
The 73rd Annual Wright Memorial Dinner Honored General Charles Bolden and was held on December 17, 2021.
Major General Charles Bolden, USMC (Ret.), was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for “… his impassioned commitment to public service in aviation and aerospace as an aviator, astronaut, and leader and his dedication to excellence for the advancement of all humanity.”
Established by NAA in 1948 to honor the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the trophy is awarded annually to a living American for “…significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.” One of the most important, historic, and visible aerospace awards in the world, the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy reflects a timeline of the most innovative inventors, explorers, industrialists, and public servants in aeronautics and astronautics.
“I can’t begin to thank the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy selection committee for making this prestigious honor possible,” said Bolden. “As this honor continues to sink in, I am humbled and feeling even more the effect of the ‘imposter syndrome’ as I think of the many true heroes of aviation who preceded me with this award. This is an incredible honor and I really look forward to trying to live up to its legacy and inspire many future Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy winners.”
“The Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is our greatest individual honor,” said NAA President Greg Principato. “When you take into account Charlie Bolden’s career and commitment, he truly embodies what this award is meant to recognize. In every aspect of his career he has served causes and missions greater than himself. His example will inspire future generations.”
Aero Club Board of Governors with the Wright Trophy recipient, Major General Charlie Bolden and his wife, Alexis Walker
2019 Wright Memorial Dinner honored Major General Michael Collins
The 2019 Wright Memorial Dinner honored Major General Michael Collins for his lifelong dedication to aerospace and public service in the highest order.
2018 Wright Memorial Dinner honored Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton
The 2018 Wright Memorial Dinner honored Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton, USAF (Ret.) for his extraordinary achievements as a history-making African American aviator in service to his country, and tireless, continuing contributions to the advancement of aviation education and advocacy.