HOWARD HUGHES MEMORIAL AWARD
HONORING AVIATION AND SPACE INNOVATION
The HHMA (Howard Hughes Memorial Award) given by the Aero Club of Southern California (ACSC) is a prestigious annual award honoring aerospace leaders for significant contributions to aviation or space technology, established in 1978 to recognize pioneers like Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Elon Musk with a solid silver medallion minted from Howard Hughes's Nevada mines.
OUR SILVER MEDALLION
The solid silver medallion, cast in silver from Hughes’ Nevada mines, depicts Hughes from the era when he was designing and flying his famed Flying Boat and setting world aviation records.
The reverse side highlights other aspects of Hughes’ life – the Hughes drill bit, a film reel, a landing falcon, the state of Nevada, the earth encircled with stars for his around-the-world record, the first communications satellite, and the Flying Boat cresting the waves of Long Beach Harbor.
The medallion was designed and executed by sculptor Josef Princiotta.
ENGRAVED TROPHY
The Howard Hughes Memorial trophy, a globe and vehicle sculpture, features the names of its recipients engraved on its base.
HOWARD HUGHES MEMORIAL AWARD
The Howard Hughes Memorial Award, established in 1978, is given annually by the Aero Club of Southern California to an aerospace leader whose career has greatly advanced aviation or space technology. Created by Howard Hughes' cousin, William R. Lummis, the award recognizes 47 notable recipients from the aerospace industry.
The trophy, located at the Flight Path Learning Center & Museum at LAX, features a globe and vehicle sculpture with recipients' names. Each honoree receives a solid silver medallion sourced from Hughes’ Nevada mines, depicting Hughes during his Flying Boat era. The reverse side illustrates various aspects of his life, including a drilling bit, a film reel, a landing falcon, Nevada, the earth with stars representing his achievements, the first communications satellite, and the Flying Boat.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN AEROSPACE AND AVIATION
THE 47TH ANNUAL HHMA HONORING WAHID NAWABI
The Aero Club of Southern California proudly honored Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of AeroVironment, Inc. (AV), at the prestigious 47th Annual Howard Hughes Memorial Award Gala, held on October 23, 2026, at the California Club in Los Angeles.
The award recognized Nawabi's outstanding leadership and contributions to the aerospace and defense industries. Under his direction, AeroVironment has evolved into a global leader in autonomous systems, defense technologies, robotics, and advanced aerospace solutions.
Since becoming CEO in 2016, Nawabi has guided the company's significant growth and expansion, advancing its capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains while delivering innovative technologies that support national security and aerospace advancement worldwide.
His vision has positioned AeroVironment at the forefront of autonomous systems and next-generation defense technologies. From contributing to groundbreaking achievements such as NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter to expanding the company's capabilities through strategic growth initiatives, Nawabi's leadership continues to shape the future of aerospace innovation and autonomous flight.
The evening brought together distinguished leaders and professionals from across the aviation, aerospace, and defense communities to celebrate his achievements and lasting contributions to the industry.
The Howard Hughes Memorial Award, created in 1978, is presented annually by the Aero Club of Southern California to an aerospace leader whose career accomplishments over a long career have significantly contributed to the advancement of aviation or space technology.
The Award was created as a tribute to Hughes by his first cousin William R. Lummis, chairman and CEO of Summa Corporation.
The 45 recipients, are a veritable “hall of fame” of the aerospace industry.
The permanent trophy, housed in the Flight Path Learning Center & Museum at LAX, is a globe and vehicle sculpture with the names of recipients engraved on its base.
A solid silver medallion, cast from silver from Hughes’ Nevada mines, is presented to each Honoree. The award depicts Hughes from the era when he was designing and flying his famed Flying Boat, setting world records, dressed in his familiar brown fedora, open shirt and two-toned sports jacket. The reverse side signifies aspects of Hughes’ varied life, the oil drilling bit, a reel of film, a landing falcon, the state of Nevada, the earth with a circle of stars symbolizing his round-the world record, the first communications satellite and the Flying Boat as it crested the waves of Long Beach Harbor.
- 1978 – JACK NORTHROP
- 1979 – JIMMY DOOLITTLE
- 1980 – PAT HYLAND
- 1981 – BOB SIX
- 1982 – KELLY JOHNSON
- 1983 – CHUCK YEAGER
- 1984 – ED HEINEMAN
- 1985 – BARRY GOLDWATER
- 1986 – PETE CONRAD
- 1987 – ALLEN PAULSEN
- 1988 – NO AWARD PRESENTED
- 1989 – SI RAMO
- 1990 – JACK REAL
- 1991 – BEN RICH
- 1992 – CLIFTON MOORE
- 1993 – LEE ATWOOD
- 1994 – HARRY WETZEL
- 1995 – BOBBI TROUT
- 1996 – TOM JONES
- 1997 – ALLEN PUCKETT
- 1998 – PAUL MACCREADY
- 1999 – JOHN BRIZENDINE
- 2000 – WILLIS HAWKINS
- 2001 – SAM IACOBELLIS
- 2002 – KENT KRESA
- 2003 – NEIL ARMSTRONG
- 2004 – FRANK ROBINSON
- 2005 – BURT RUTAN
- 2006 – EILEEN COLLINS
- 2007 – JAMES ALBAUGH
- 2008 – RON SUGAR
- 2009 – BOB HOOVER
- 2010 – FRED SMITH
- 2011 – CLAY LACY
- 2012 – STEVEN UDVAR-HAZY
- 2013 – DR. EDWARD STONE
- 2014 – ELON MUSK
- 2015 – JIM LOVELL
- 2016 – WES BUSH
- 2017 – MARILLYN HEWSON
- 2018 – BUZZ ALDRIN
- 2019 – CAPTAIN “SULLY” SULLENBERGER
- 2021 – RICHARD “DICK” RUTAN
- 2022 – HARRISON FORD
- 2023 – “LARRY” A. MENDELSON
- 2024 – EREN OZMEN
- 2025 – NEAL BLUE
- 2026 – WAHID NAWABI
THE AILERON
The official publication of the Aero Club of Southern California, featuring our distinguished HHMA Award recipients. We will be posting additional issues in the future.