National Aeronautic Association

What National Aeronautic Association does

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1905 as the Aero Club of America and headquartered at Reagan Washington National Airport, Hangar 7, Washington, D.C. It is the oldest national aviation organization in the United States and a founding member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). NAA serves as the official U.S. National Air Sport Control (NAC), the exclusive issuer of FAI Sporting Licenses in the U.S., and the sole authority to certify U.S. aviation and space records for world-record status. Its core products are tiered individual memberships (Bronze $55 to Platinum/Life $1,905), organizational memberships (Corporate, Affiliate at $2,000–$2,500, Institutional, Aero Club, and Air Sport), the FAI Sporting License, the NAA Records Database, record sanctioning and certification services, and a portfolio of elite awards including the Collier Trophy, Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, Henderson Trophy, Brewer Trophy, Mackay Trophy, and Stinson Trophy. The underlying technology is a web-based membership management system integrated with the FAI international database for license verification and record tracking, with a self-serve Record Sanctioning Portal for submitting Notice of Intent requests.

NAA's business model is a hybrid of subscription and transaction-based revenue: recurring membership dues across six tiers, transaction fees for record sanctioning and processing, annual FAI Sporting License fees with rush processing upcharges, event revenue from the Collier Trophy Celebration and Fall Awards ceremonies, and tax-deductible donations supporting mission-driven programs including trophy endowments. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via naa.aero with channel distribution through seven national Air Sport Organizations (Academy of Model Aeronautics, U.S. Parachute Association, Soaring Society of America, Balloon Federation of America, International Aerobatic Club, U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, U.S. Powered Paraglider Association) and affiliate partnerships with NBAA, AOPA, GAMA, ALPA, and AIA. The customer base spans individual aviation enthusiasts and competitors (500K+ represented through ASOs), aerospace corporations (Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Textron, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer), educational institutions (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and U.S. government agencies (NASA, FAA via board representation), operating across 48 contiguous U.S. states and 10 air sports disciplines.

Name

National Aeronautic Association

Legal name

National Aeronautic Association

Website

https://naa.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Aeronautic Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1905 that serves as the official U.S. representative to the FAI, certifying U.S. aviation records, issuing FAI Sporting Licenses, administering elite aerospace awards, and serving 500,000+ members across 10 air sports disciplines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Membership Organization

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB), Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

Keywords

• Aviation membership organization
• Flight record validation
• Aerospace awards program
• FAI sporting license
• Air sports governance

Headquarters

HQ city

New Tazewell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $55 for Bronze to $1,905 for Platinum/Life membership, with pricing variations for domestic vs international addresses.
2. Organizational Membership Dues: Corporate, Affiliate, Institutional, and Aero Club memberships with dues based on annual review or fixed rates (e.g., Affiliate $2,000-$2,500).
3. Record Sanction and Processing Fees: Fees for sanctioning record attempts, with discounts for Silver and above members (5-15% reduction). Corporate members receive up to $2,000 annual reduction.
4. FAI Sporting License Fees: Annual license fees with rush processing options ($25 for 2-day, $50 for 1-day processing).
5. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations supporting NAA's mission, with designated funds for specific trophies and awards.
6. Event Revenue: Ticket sales and sponsorships for award ceremonies including Collier Trophy Celebration and Fall Awards events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Aeronautic Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1905 that serves as the official U.S. National Air Sport Control for the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). It offers tiered individual and organizational memberships (Bronze through Platinum/Life, Corporate, Affiliate, Aero Club, Institutional, and Air Sport), issues FAI Sporting Licenses, validates and certifies U.S. aviation and aerospace records, and administers a portfolio of prestigious aerospace awards including the Collier Trophy and Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.

Product overview

The National Aeronautic Association operates as a membership-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include tiered individual and organizational membership programs (Bronze through Platinum/Life, Corporate, Affiliate, Aero Club, Institutional, and Air Sport memberships) that provide FAI Sporting License access, records database privileges, and eligibility for prestigious aerospace awards. The organization's flagship award portfolio includes the Robert J. Collier Trophy (annual greatest aerospace achievement), Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy (lifetime public service), Frank G. Brewer Trophy (aerospace education), Mackay Trophy (meritorious flight), and multiple service and statesmanship awards. Supporting services include flight record certification and validation through the NAA Records Database, event programming (Collier Trophy Celebration, Aviation Records Celebration), and the FAI International Art Contest for youth. Optional add-ons include Smithsonian Air & Space Quarterly subscriptions and Why I Fly video series access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NAA Individual Membership
• NAA Corporate Membership
• NAA Affiliate Membership
• NAA Aero Club Membership
• NAA Institutional Membership
• NAA Air Sport Organization Membership
• FAI Sporting License
• Flight Record Certification and Validation
• NAA Records Database
• Robert J. Collier Trophy
• Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
• Frank G. Brewer Trophy
• NAA Mackay Trophy
• Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award
• NAA Henderson Trophy
• Katherine & Marjorie Stinson Trophy
• NAA Bruce Whitman Trophy
• NAA Public Benefit Flying Awards
• FAI International Aviation Art Contest
• Collier Trophy Celebration
• Aviation Records Celebration

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ members represented through Air Sport Organizations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and major.

• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1905NAA is a founding member of FAI, established in 1905 alongside Germany, Spain, Belgium, UK, Italy, Switzerland, and France. NAA serves as the official U.S. National Air Sport Control (NAC), responsible for appointing representatives to 15 major FAI air sport and technical commissions and representing U.S. interests at FAI's Annual General Conference.
• Academy of Model AeronauticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for aeromodeling, representing approximately 170,000 members and organizing numerous competitions under NAA's air sports governance.
• U.S. Parachute Association (USPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for parachuting and skydiving, founded 1967, representing individual skydivers under NAA's air sports governance.
• Soaring Society of America (SSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for gliding, established 1932, collaborating with NAA to promote and regulate gliding competitions.
• Balloon Federation of America (BFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for ballooning, coordinating competitions and representing approximately 3,500 members.
• International Aerobatic Club (IAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization promoting aerobatics, overseeing competitions, and welcoming aviation enthusiasts under NAA's air sports governance.
• U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for hang gliding and paragliding, representing Colorado Springs-based membership.
• U.S. Powered Paraglider Association (USPPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for powered paragliding and paramotor flying.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner hosting permanent displays of Collier Trophy, Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, and Brewer Trophy. Historical archives housed at museum.
• National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting the U.S. national competition for the FAI International Aviation Art Contest.
• Air Care AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal partner in presenting the Public Benefit Flying Awards, recognizing volunteer aviation humanitarian missions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Large U.S. aviation membership organization and NAA affiliate partner. Comparable as a membership-based aviation advocacy and services organization with overlapping pilot/owner audience but focused on general aviation rather than air sport governance.
• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI): The international governing body for air sports of which NAA is a founding member and U.S. representative. Directly comparable as the umbrella international federation for the same air sports disciplines and credentialing framework NAA operates within.
• U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC): U.S. National Olympic Committee overseeing multiple National Governing Bodies across all sports. Comparable in structural role as the umbrella national federation coordinator, though broader in scope than NAA's air-sports focus.

Direct peers

• Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom: Long-standing national aeronautic association serving as the UK's NAC under FAI. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and member services as another country's national air sport governing body with parallel FAI Sporting License and records functions.
• Aero Club of New Zealand: New Zealand's national aeronautic association and FAI NAC. Operates an analogous membership-based model administering FAI Sporting Licenses, record certification, and national aviation awards in its country.

Regional players

• Deutscher Aero Club (DAeC): Germany's national aeronautic association and founding FAI member alongside NAA. Comparable as one of the original FAI founding national aero clubs administering sporting licenses and air sport governance domestically.
• Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association: Canadian federation of flying clubs affiliated with Aero Club of Canada and FAI. Comparable as a regional aero club network supporting national aviation governance and air sport participation in a different geography.
• Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA): French national aeronautic federation and FAI NAC. Comparable as a national FAI member organization running its own air sport governance, licensing, and training programs in a different geography.

Emerging players

• Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA): National governing body for aeromodeling in the U.S. and an NAA Air Sport Organization member. Comparable as a U.S. air sport discipline governing body operating within NAA's broader federation structure.
• U.S. Parachute Association (USPA): National governing body for parachuting and skydiving and an NAA Air Sport Organization. Comparable as one of NAA's constituent ASOs running membership, training, and competition sanctioning for a specific air sport.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalaeronauticassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-aeronautic-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Aeronautic Association