AIAA Honorary Fellow Award

The AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala is an annual black-tie event that recognizes the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace, whose outstanding contributions merit the highest accolades.

Pictured: Class of 2019 AIAA Fellows and Honorary Fellows

In 1933, Orville Wright became AIAA’s first Honorary Fellow.

As of 2019, there have been only 226 distinguished persons elected since the inception of this Honor.

Honorary Fellow is the highest distinction conferred by AIAA and recognizes preeminent individuals who have had long and highly contributory careers in aerospace and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics.

This designation is very rare. In the first 86 years of the AIAA’s existence only 226 individuals have been so honored. The AIAA has about 30,000 members and in any year only 3 are elected to Honorary Fellow.

My election ceremony came at the anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. “The 50th anniversary of the lunar landing is a fitting backdrop for this year’s class of Honorary Fellows and Fellows,” said John Langford, AIAA president. “While we always celebrate what—and who—came before us, as aerospace professionals we are always looking ahead to the next challenge. Because of the dedication, leadership and vision of these new inductees, the aerospace industry is moving forward by leaps and bounds. AIAA offers our sincere admiration for their hard work and congratulates the members of the 2019 Class on their achievements.”