Aero Club of DC

We had a great turnout last night at our Capitol Connections Networking Reception! Thank you to all of our Aero Club and IAC members who joined us for an evening of meaningful connections across the aviation community. We were especially grateful to welcome @RepRickLarsen , who stopped by to share a few words and help kick off the event. A special thank you to our generous sponsors for making the evening possible: @AirlinesDotOrg. @airportscouncil, @Delta, and @united. Your continued support helps bring our community together.

A BIG thank you to our Capitol Connections Networking Event sponsors, @AirlinesDotOrg, @airportscouncil, @Delta, and @united, for their generous support in making this event possible. We’re excited to partner with the International Aviation Club to bring together Aero Club and IAC members for an evening of networking and connection. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night!

We’re excited to welcome our newest members who joined the Aero Club of Washington in February and March. Each brings unique experience and energy to our community, and we’re looking forward to seeing the connections and conversations ahead. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome. We’re glad you’re here! ✈️

Join us for the Aero Club of Washington’s May Luncheon featuring @NASAAdmin Jared Isaacman! From the future of human spaceflight to the innovations shaping the next era of aerospace, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. 🗓 May 20, 2026 📍 The Westin DC Downtown ⏰ 12:00 p.m. Reception | 12:30 p.m. Luncheon Register today: aeroclub.org

The Aero Club of Washington is proud to announce that former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Labor, @ElaineChao, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence. A trailblazer in public service and one of the longest-serving Cabinet members in U.S. history, Secretary Chao’s leadership has had a lasting impact on aviation safety, innovation, and workforce development. From guiding the industry through unprecedented challenges to advancing critical policies that continue to shape aviation today, her contributions exemplify the highest standards of excellence. We look forward to honoring Secretary Chao at an upcoming Aero Club luncheon in Washington, DC this summer. More details to come. Read the full announcement: aeroclub.org/former-u-s-sec… #Aviation #Aerospace #Leadership #AeroClub #EngenTrophy #AviationExcellence

Yesterday, the Aero Club Foundation had the privilege of hosting an unforgettable day at @Dulles_Airport for 25 incredible students from @DunbarHighDC. From the moment they arrived, students got a behind-the-scenes look at the world of aviation: 👀 A rare tour inside the Air Traffic Control Tower (thank you, @NATCA) 🍴 Lunch and industry insights at @AtlanticFBO 🛩️ Up-close access to aircraft at the @GWBAA_DC It was a day filled with curiosity, great questions, and new perspectives on what a future in aviation can look like. Experiences like these are exactly why we do what we do, opening doors, building connections, and showing students what’s possible. A huge thank you to our partners who helped make this day so special and to the students for bringing such great energy and enthusiasm! The future of aviation is bright ✨✈️

Mark your calendars for Capitol Connections, a joint networking event hosted by the Aero Club of Washington and the International Aviation Club. 📅 Wednesday, April 29, 2026 ⏰ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. 📍 House T&I Committee Hearing Room 💲 $10 per person Connect with fellow aviation professionals from across the industry in a unique and iconic setting. This event is open to current members of the Aero Club and the IAC. Aero Club members should check their email for the registration link and code to sign up. We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of great conversation and networking! ✈️

It was great to have so many of you with us yesterday for the Aero Club of Washington’s March Luncheon. We were thrilled to welcome around 160 attendees for a lively and engaging program. A special shoutout to our guest speaker, David Carbon, VP & GM of @amazon Prime Air, for a fascinating and forward-looking conversation. David shared updates on how Prime Air has evolved since he last addressed the Club in 2023, including scaling drone delivery, integrating into Amazon’s fulfillment network, and navigating an evolving regulatory landscape. We appreciate everyone who joined us and helped make it such a great event!

The Aero Club of Washington mourns the passing of Russell W. Meyer Jr., a visionary leader whose impact on aviation will be felt for generations. Meyer was honored with the @NatlAero's Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy at the Aero Club’s 1995 Wright Memorial Dinner, recognizing his extraordinary leadership as chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company. He played a pivotal role in revitalizing general aviation, championing aviation safety, and helping lead the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. His dedication to strengthening the general aviation industry helped shape the future of flight in the United States and around the world. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those in the aviation community who were inspired by his leadership. May his legacy continue to inspire the next generation of aviation pioneers. ✈️

Join the Aero Club of Washington on March 24th for our next luncheon featuring David Carbon, Vice President & General Manager of @amazon Prime Air! 📍 The Westin Washington, DC Downtown 🕛 12:00 p.m. Reception | 12:30 p.m. Luncheon Hear insights on innovation and the future of autonomous aviation. 🔗 Register: aeroclub.org/march-24-2026-…

Thank you to @HawaiianAir CEO Diana Birkett Rakow for joining the Aero Club yesterday and sharing her insights with a full room of 250 aviation leaders and professionals. We appreciated her thoughtful perspective on leading through integration and charting a strong path forward for @AlaskaAir and Hawaiian Airlines. Thank you as well to @loriara for moderating such an engaging and dynamic conversation. We are grateful to both for an outstanding program! ✈️🌺

A big thank you to our sponsors for supporting tomorrow’s Aero Club Luncheon! ✈️ We are grateful for the continued partnership of our February 25th Luncheon sponsors. Your support helps make these important conversations for the aviation community possible. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! @AlaskaAir @HawaiianAir @AirlinesDotOrg @Monument @NATCA @BrownsteinHyatt

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Aero Club who joined in December and January! We’re thrilled to have you as part of our aviation community and look forward to connecting with you at upcoming luncheons and events.

Help us honor aviation excellence! The Aero Club is now accepting nominations for two of aviation’s most prestigious honors: 🏆 The Engen Trophy: Recognizing lifetime achievement, a singular milestone, or a series of extraordinary contributions that uphold the Wright Brothers’ standard of excellence in aviation. 🗓 Nomination Deadline: March 31, 2026 aeroclub.org/about-us/award… 🏆 The @NatlAero's Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy: Awarded annually to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States. 🗓 Nomination Deadline: April 24, 2026 *The Aero Club will review all nominations received and forward one nomination to the NAA for final consideration. aeroclub.org/events/wright-… Submit your nomination and help us celebrate those who are shaping the future of aviation while honoring its proud legacy.

✈️ Calling Future Aviation Leaders! ✈️ The Aero Club Foundation Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for 2026. We are proud to support students in the DC metropolitan area who are passionate about pursuing an education and career in aviation or aerospace. 🗓 Applications due March 16, 2026 🔗 Apply here: aeroclub.org/foundation/sch… Please help us spread the word and invest in the next generation of aviation professionals.

Registration is officially open for our February 25th Luncheon! ✈️ We’re honored to welcome Diana Birkett Rakow, CEO of @HawaiianAir, as our featured guest speaker. 🔗 Register here: aeroclub.org/february-25-20…

Today, we pause to remember the 67 lives lost in the tragic midair collision at Reagan National Airport one year ago. We honor the victims and their families, whose loss continues to be felt deeply across our aviation community and beyond. We also recognize the extraordinary courage and professionalism of the first responders who answered the call in the aftermath of this devastating event, as well as the dedicated investigators at the @NTSB. In December, the Aero Club was proud to honor the NTSB and federal, state, and local DCA crash first responders with our 2025 Persons of the Year Award at the Wright Memorial Dinner, recognizing their service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to safety. We remember. We honor. And we reaffirm our shared responsibility to learn from this tragedy and continue working toward the safest aviation system possible.

Thank you @AeroClubDC for the opportunity to discuss the future of our nation’s airspace. Aviation is changing rapidly, and @FAAnews is leading with safety, accountability, and transparency. Our airspace system is safe but it’s aging. We’re modernizing air traffic control technologies to integrate innovation like AAM while preparing for the next generation of aviators.

We kicked off the new year in a big way at our first Aero Club luncheon of 2026, welcoming FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, for a timely and wide-ranging conversation on the future of aviation. With more than 530 aviation leaders and professionals in attendance, Administrator Bedford shared insights on aviation safety and leadership at a pivotal moment for the industry, including lessons learned following the DCA mid-air collision, how his private-sector experience is shaping his approach at the @FAANews, and the rollout of Flight Plan 2026. He also discussed the modernization of the air traffic control system, the FAA’s approach to integrating Advanced Air Mobility, and how the agency is balancing innovation with its world-class safety culture. Thank you to Administrator Bedford for joining us, and to everyone who helped make our first luncheon of the year such a meaningful and well-attended start to 2026. ✈️

Thank you to our 15 generous sponsors for supporting the January 21st Luncheon with @FAANews Administrator Bryan Bedford. Your support makes this important conversation possible and helps bring the aviation community together. We are truly grateful! ✈️ @amazon @AmericanAir @flywithaopa @ATCA_now @Boeing @Delta @FedEx @NBAA @jobyaviation @LeidosInc @NATCA @ParsonsCorp @RAAtweets @SouthwestAir @united