VAI begins accepting nominations for 2026 Salute to Excellence Awards Nominations are open through Friday, Oct. 17, for VAI’s Salute to Excellence Awards. Learn more about the Golden Hour and Pilot of the Year Awards in this installment of a continuing series of articles about the program. Do you know someone who excels in the world of vertical aviation, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or advanced air mobility (AAM)? It’s time to shine the spotlight on them, and Vertical Aviation International (VAI) wants to hear their incredible stories! The annual VAI Salute to Excellence Awards program is accepting nominations through Friday, Oct. 17. The best part? Anyone can submit a nomination, and anyone can be nominated. VAI membership is not required! The program comprises 11 award categories, 2 of which are the Golden Hour Award and the Pilot of the Year Award, which are highlighted below. In our next installment about the Salute to Excellence Awards, we’ll feature 2 more of the program’s awards. 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. Spotlight on Golden Hour and Pilot of the Year • Golden Hour Award: This award recognizes the efforts of an individual, group, or organization that, through a particular activity or contributions over time, has advanced the use of helicopters or UAS aircraft in the vital mission of air medical transport. • Pilot of the Year Award: This award highlights an outstanding single feat performed by a helicopter or UAS pilot during the past three years or for extraordinary professionalism over time. Nominees for these two awards must be active pilots. 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. Join us in celebrating the trailblazers and heroes of the vertical aviation community by nominating a colleague, mentor, or aviation professional you admire. Let’s give them the recognition they deserve with a Salute to Excellence! Send in your nomination now! The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Submit Your Nomination
