May 31, 2024

AOPA President Mark Baker will be the 2024 recipient of the Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence in recognition of his fierce leadership and passionate commitment to general aviation.

Each year the Engen Trophy is awarded to an individual, organization, or team who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in aviation that reaffirms the standard set by the Wright brothers. The award was established in 1993 and named for the previous FAA administrator and former director of the National Air and Space Museum. Baker’s extensive résumé of accomplishments over his 11-year tenure at the helm of AOPA earned him the 2024 award. Under Baker’s leadership, AOPA has championed the protection and future for aviation on behalf of the 300,000 member pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation enthusiasts. Seeing the negative impact of privatization on General Aviation in other countries, Baker also led an impressive and successful fight against privatizing our nation’s air traffic control system during his tenure. Baker’s credibility as the leader of the world’s largest pilot organization and his keen understanding of the value of advocacy earned him multiple opportunities to testify before Congress and impact a number of aviation policies for private pilots and AOPA members. The Aero Club of Washington will present the Engen Trophy to Baker at the organization’s mid-June luncheon.
   —Please see https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/allnews/2024/april/18/a-passionate-and-tireless-advocate for more.