National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
America's Aero Club
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
EIN: 53-0196615
as of November 2025
as of November 14, 2025
Mission
The NAA is a federally recognized 501c3 whose mission is to oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight. The NAA achieves this by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight in the United States.
Ruling year
1942
President and CEO
Amy Spowart
Co Principal Officer
Jim Albaugh
Main address
Reagan National Airport Hanger 7
Arlington, VA 22202 USA
EIN
53-0196615
Community and economic development
Arts and culture
Education
Science
International relations
Population served
Adults
Children and youth
NTEE code
Other Medical Research N.E.C. (H99)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The NAA's mission is to oversee the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight. The NAA achieves this by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight in the U.S. What we do: *Develop opportunities to strengthen the mutual objectives of NAA members; *Represent U.S. aviation throughout the world as the U.S. National Air Sport Control (NAC) of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale; *Encourage, coordinate, document, and competition aviation and space events following the rules prescribed by the FAI; *Recognize and reward those who make outstanding contributions to the advancement of aerospace; *Endorse sound national programs and other efforts designed to help the U.S. remain a leader in aerospace; *Support and encourage aviation and space education programs; *Promote and encourage public participation in and appreciation of U.S. aerospace.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Aeronautic Records and Awards
For almost the entire history of powered flight, NAA has been the caretaker of many of the nation's and the world's most prestigious aviation awards. NAA's mission is to identify and recognize those who have contributed to the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight to the United States. We appreciate that people and groups like receiving recognition for their hard work and we believe they deserve it. When achievement is rewarded, several things happen. Entities that earned it are provided with a vital boost to continue in their excellence. Winners gain a sense of fulfillment. Public recognition inspires otherstoday's success drives future success. Motivation is what pushes people. Giving recognition for achievement creates a positive atmosphere and helps keep the entire aerospace industry moving forward. The NAA creates positive opportunities to reward achievement and propel continued excellence in every sector of aviation.
American Air Sports
Air Sport Organizations (ASO) are integral to the NAAs ability to fulfill our mission. Many ASOs serve as the introduction or gateway to commercial and business aviation. They are also competitive disciplines to many Americans and lifelong hobbies to thousands more. To foster our relationship with ASOs, the NAA works closely with ASOs to encourage membership and help drive innovation. Americas ASOs constantly change and evolve as new technology and aircraft become available. Tens of thousands of people belong to ASOs in the United States, representing aerobatics, aeromodelling, ballooning, gliding, helicopters, ultralights, and parachuting. NAA delegates each ASO as the official governing body for their respective air sports. NAA and the ASOs meet regularly, which helps produce a better understanding of each organization's unique challenges. This cooperation also prepares the NAA for its representational responsibilities with the FAI.
Where we work
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United States
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of donations made by board members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The number is shown as a percentage of the Board who gave financially to the organization.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The goals of the NAA are to:
*Drive excellence with recognition, including through contests, awards, and trophies.
*Sanction and bestow authority to Americans representing the best in International Air Sports.
*Promote and foster appreciation for the art of flying and strengthen the aerospace business.
*Encourage the study, establishment, and deeper understanding of the science of aeronautics in all forms to encourage inventions and improvements in the field and across the industry.
*Assist in ensuring a sustainable and reliable aviation system.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The strategies of the NAA to achieve our strategic goals are:
*Continue to nurture current members, thoughtfully attract new members, and build a membership united around the NAA's mission to promote and advance American aeronautics.
*Build on our current records and award programs to ensure awareness of the opportunities and that programming reflects the future of aerospace.
*Capture the brightest insight on sustainable aviation and promote and drive achievements that lead toward that goal.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people’s needs and how we can help them achieve their goals, To inform the development of new programs/projects,
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection,
Financials
Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2023 info
12.11
Months of cash in 2023 info
4
Fringe rate in 2023 info
12%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
Revenue & expensesFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitionsFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
This snapshot of National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
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Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | -$9,026 | $55,920 | $39,254 | -$69,543 | $40,089 |
| As % of expenses | -0.8% | 5.8% | 4.1% | -7.0% | 3.4% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | -$9,593 | $41,419 | $23,957 | -$84,981 | $24,460 |
| As % of expenses | -0.9% | 4.3% | 2.5% | -8.4% | 2.1% |
| Revenue composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $1,093,545 | $974,773 | $1,016,768 | $970,052 | $1,006,131 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | -8.4% | -10.9% | 4.3% | -4.6% | 3.7% |
| Program services revenue | 50.1% | 33.1% | 40.8% | 49.6% | 52.6% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.9% | 1.1% | 0.7% |
| Government grants | 0.0% | 6.4% | 5.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other grants and contributions | 43.3% | 45.4% | 44.3% | 48.8% | 42.2% |
| Other revenue | 5.0% | 13.9% | 8.5% | 0.5% | 4.6% |
| Expense composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $1,106,364 | $956,552 | $962,527 | $996,284 | $1,164,562 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 2.6% | -13.5% | 0.6% | 3.5% | 16.9% |
| Personnel | 51.3% | 59.0% | 58.5% | 58.2% | 51.0% |
| Professional fees | 5.8% | 6.7% | 6.4% | 6.6% | 7.1% |
| Occupancy | 6.0% | 7.5% | 6.4% | 6.1% | 4.9% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other expenses | 36.9% | 26.8% | 28.6% | 29.1% | 37.0% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $1,106,931 | $971,053 | $977,824 | $1,011,722 | $1,180,191 |
| One month of savings | $92,197 | $79,713 | $80,211 | $83,024 | $97,047 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $23,231 | $50,414 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $1,222,359 | $1,101,180 | $1,058,035 | $1,094,746 | $1,277,238 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 7.3 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| Months of cash and investments | 13.7 | 15.7 | 16.7 | 13.4 | 10.5 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 8.5 | 9.9 | 10.3 | 9.1 | 8.1 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $670,371 | $557,229 | $574,244 | $559,155 | $392,426 |
| Investments | $589,387 | $694,757 | $762,797 | $552,120 | $625,679 |
| Receivables | $43,129 | $109,061 | $95,701 | $89,010 | $73,118 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $48,622 | $90,118 | $91,434 | $92,848 | $83,649 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 49.8% | 33.1% | 49.3% | 65.2% | 73.4% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 9.6% | 9.6% | 9.0% | 8.3% | 7.8% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $807,676 | $849,095 | $873,052 | $788,071 | $812,531 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $397,344 | $451,760 | $495,362 | $382,490 | $251,330 |
| Total net assets | $1,205,020 | $1,300,855 | $1,368,414 | $1,170,561 | $1,063,861 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
President and CEO
Amy Spowart
As the President and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association, the oldest aviation association in the United States, I am honored to lead a diverse and passionate team of air sports enthusiasts and aerospace innovators nationwide. With over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, I have a proven track record of transforming organizations, building strategic partnerships, and creating impactful programs that inspire future generations.
Co Principal Officer
Jim Albaugh
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
Highest paid employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
National Aeronautic Association of U S A Inc
Board of directorsas of 3/4/2025
Board of directors data
Jim Albaugh
Amy Spowart President and CEO
NAA President & CEO
Anthony Velocci
Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine (Retired)
Arthur Greenfield
SVP Contest & Records, NAA
Ben Kowalski Board Member
Cirrus Aircraft
Billy Nolen
Archer Aviation
Brad Thress
Former Aviation Executive
Bradley McKeage
Embraer
Che' Bolden
The Charles F. Bolden Group
Chris Hart
Hart Solutions, LLC.
Claudia Zapata-Cardone
Latino Pilots Association/United Airlines
Clyde Woltman
Leonardo Helicopters, USA
Elizabeth Matarese Secretary
Goodloe Sutton
The Boeing Company
James Darcy Board Member
James Viola
GAMA
Jim Albaugh
Joan Higginbotham
Joan Higginbotham Ad Astra, LLC
John Langford
Electra.aero
Joseph Huber
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Int’l Airport
Lauren Haertlein
Joby Aviation
Leda Chong
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Liana Sucar-Hamel
Airbus Americas
Mark Ofsthun
Honda Aircraft Company
Martiqua Post
US Air Force Academy
Mary Claire Murphy Board Member
Mary Murphy
Textron Aviation
Matt Byrd Board Member
Nicole Alexander
Wichita Aero Club
Patty Wagstall Board Member
Ray Davis
Rolls-Royce, North America
Rebecca Lutte
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Rich Hanson
Academy of Model Aeronautics
Samantha Magill
NASA
Sami Said
Northrop Grumman
Sierra Grimes Board Member
Stacy Rudser Board Member
Ted Ellett
Hogan Lovells
Yvette Rose Board Member
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
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