Nominate a leader in vertical aviation (deadline Oct. 17) Submit your nominations to VAI’s 2026 Salute to Excellence Awards by Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Learn more about the W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year and Matthew S. Zuccaro Land & LIVE Awards in this installment of a continuing series of articles about the program. Every day, professionals across our industry push boundaries, save lives, and inspire others. VAI’s Salute to Excellence Awards program shines a spotlight on these achievements. The program’s 11 award categories honor individuals and organizations worldwide for excellence in operations, safety, leadership, innovation, and service. Two of the categories, the W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year Award and the Matthew S. Zuccaro Land & LIVE Award, are highlighted below. Our next installment about the Salute to Excellence Awards will feature another pair of the program’s categories. To read about previous honorees in all categories, visit our gallery of winners from past years, which appears directly below the 11 award categories on our Salute to Excellence web page. Featured Scholarships • W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year Award: This award recognizes a helicopter or unmanned aircraft system flight instructor for superlative contributions in upholding high standards of professionalism. • Matthew S. Zuccaro Land & LIVE Award: Named for the former Helicopter Association International (now Vertical Aviation International) CEO, this award recognizes superior decision-making, professionalism, and coordinated actions that significantly reduced the likelihood, severity, or consequences of a helicopter accident. At the sole discretion of the judges, this award may be presented to three recipients each year: one for pilots, one for flight crews, and one for maintenance personnel. Share the story of someone who deserves recognition. The Salute to Excellence Award winners will be honored during VERTICON®, which takes place Mar. 9–12, 2026, (exhibits open Mar 10–12), in Atlanta, Georgia. Send in your nomination now! The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Submit Your Nomination
