VAI calls for 2027 Salute to Excellence Awards nominations Nominate your peers, mentors, and heroes for exceptional service by Aug. 31, 2026. Alexandria, VA (June 3, 2026) – Vertical Aviation International (VAI) has opened the nomination period for its 2027 Salute to Excellence Awards, an annual program that honors outstanding individuals and teams across the full spectrum of vertical flight. Nominees and nominators do not need to be VAI members to participate. Beginning Jun. 1, 2026, nominations will be accepted at verticalavi.org/salute-to-excellence through Aug. 31, 2026. This deadline is firm and is necessary to ensure adequate production time ahead of the awards presentation next March at VERTICON 2027 in Anaheim, California, USA. The chosen honorees will be publicly announced in early 2027. “VAI’s industry awards program is about honoring the people and organizations, often unrecognized, whose work has moved the industry forward in meaningful ways,” says François Lassale, president and CEO of VAI. “Some do this by mentoring others, some by developing innovative solutions to industry problems, and some by earning our respect through the high standards they represent. Through our Salute to Excellence Awards, VAI is honored to tell their stories.” With 11 award categories, the Salute to Excellence Awards highlight exceptional performance in areas such as air ambulance, law enforcement, flight training, safety, and maintenance. In line with VAI’s expanded mission, the program welcomes nominations from all corners of the vertical aviation community, including the rotorcraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and powered-lift sectors. The award categories are: • Communications Award, for creative distinction in disseminating information about the vertical aviation industry • Golden Hour Award, for distinguished and outstanding service utilizing rotorcraft in air medical transport • Harold Summers Legacy Award, for outstanding contribution and selfless service to the worldwide vertical aviation industry • Humanitarian Service Award, for outstanding service in using rotorcraft to provide aid to those in need • Law Enforcement Award, for contributions to the promotion and advancement of rotorcraft in support of law enforcement activities • Lifetime Achievement Award, for long and significant service to the international vertical aviation community • Maintenance Award, for significant and distinct contributions to helicopter maintenance • Matthew S. Zuccaro Land & LIVE Award, for outstanding aeronautical decision-making, crew resource management, and/or coordinated actions • Pilot of the Year Award, for outstanding achievement as a helicopter pilot • Safety Award, for outstanding contributions to the promotion of rotorcraft safety and safety awareness • W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year Award, for upholding high standards of excellence in flight instruction Those submitting nominations should carefully review the award descriptions and eligibility guidelines posted at https://verticalavi.org/salute-to-excellence/. The site also provides resources for preparing an impactful nomination package. “There are remarkable people doing outstanding work in every part of vertical aviation,” says Lassale. “Tell us those stories. Explain how the nominee made an impact, what they accomplished, and why it matters. The most successful nominations bring that story to life.”
