In 1984, the National Association of State Aviation Officials established the NASAO Most Innovative State Program Award to recognize truly unique and service-oriented state aviation programs, projects, and activities. NASAO has a long tradition of calling the aviation community’s attention to individual states aviation programs. Many innovative aviation programs that began at the state level have spread to other states or in some cases have been adopted or accepted by the federal government and the aviation community. The recipient will receive the award at the NASAO Annual Convention & Trade Show.
ELIGIBILITY
The NASAO Most Innovative State Program Award is open to any state aviation agency that has developed, or has contracted for the development of, an original aviation program, project, or activity.
The program should contribute to the quality of service in the aviation community and/or the general public. The program should be currently underway or recently completed and have reportable results.
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
Nominations must be typed and include:
- An Executive Summary of the entry, not exceeding two pages, stating why the entry is innovative and how it provides a service to aviation.
- A background and description of the program which states its origin and development, along with goals and objectives.
- The implementation date along with the details of the implementation. Only programs that have been implemented should be submitted for judging.
- A description, if possible, of the results of the program.
- A report on the actual cost of the program, including funding from all sources.
- Pictures, drawings, samples, correspondence, or any other means that reinforces the innovative nature of the program.
JUDGING
A panel of distinguished judges has been selected to rate the entries. Judges will be asked to rank each entry on “Innovation” and “Quality of Service to the Aviation Community.” Innovation is defined as creative, new, and/or unusual means of supporting aviation. In addition, their evaluation of each entry will include cost versus return of the program, ease of program implementation, and the extent to which the program addresses an unmet need of the aviation community.
PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE STATE PROGRAM AWARD:
1984 Minnesota, Aviation Weather Service Program
1985 Arizona, Computer Technology to Serve the Aviation Community
1986 Minnesota, Automated Weather Station
1987 Washington, Airport Visual Aid and Lighting Program
1988 Illinois, Project Air Bear
1989 Illinois, Promotion of Residential Airports
1990 Illinois, Promotion of Local Airport Action Groups
1991 New York, Converting Military Airports to Public Use
1992 Michigan, Military and Civil Collision Avoidance Program
1993 Wisconsin, Differential GPS Precision Landing System
1994 Colorado, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Support Program
1995 Virginia, Airport Remote Radio Access Program
1996 Illinois, Aviation Wannabee Program
1997 Minnesota, Minnesota Internet Site
1998 Washington, GA Facilities: Protection from Incompatible Land Uses
1999 Maine, Video Based Pavement Inspection System
2000 Tennessee, The First Ultra-Thin Whitetopping of a GA Airport Runway
2001 Colorado, Colorado Mountain Pass Automated Weather Observation System Program and South Carolina, Comprehensive Aviation Information Reporting System
2002 Massachusetts, Development of Statewide Airport Identification Badge Program
2003 Washington, Online Pilot Registration Program
2004 Illinois, Hospital Heliport Directory and Heliport Safety Video Project and Iowa, General Aviation Security Initiative
2005 North Dakota, General Aviation Airport Crisis Communications
2006 Minnesota, Aviation Career Curriculum and Education Program
2007 Minnesota, Aviation Safety Program
2008 Wisconsin, Bureau of Aeronautics, Wisconsin 2008-2009 Aeronautical Chart
2009 Colorado Division of Aeronautics Non-Federal Sensor Data Collection System
2010 Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Web-based Airport Infrastructure Management System
2011 Arizona Airport Pavement Management System
THE NOMINATION DEADLINE
The next call for nominations will be issued by June 2012. Send all inquiries about this award to info@nasao.org.