Aerospace Media Awards Recognize Excellence in Aviation Journalism

Top nods go for deep reporting in sustainability, advanced air mobility, and global concerns.

The annual awards recognize the best in aerospace reporting across a variety of verticals, including business and commercial aviation, defense, space, and vertical flight. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

The 2023 Aerospace Media Awards were held on Sunday, June 18, at the Aéro-Club de France to recognize excellence in aviation journalism, with top nods going to reporting in sustainability, advanced air mobility, and global industry concerns.

From the best young journalist to lifetime achievement awards in reporting and photography, the event feted those who have committed their careers to reporting on a wide-ranging remit that continues to expand.

Notable winners included:

  • Best Aviation Image, Giovanni Colla
  • Best Digital Submission, Aviation Week Check 6 Podcast
  • Best Young Journalist, Lucy Powell
  • Best Safety, Training & Simulation Submission, Elan Head’s “What’s missing from the debate over the 1,500-hour rule” in The Air Current
  • Best Passenger & Crew Wellbeing Submission, James Wynbrandt’s “Mental wellness gets post-Covid safety focus” in Aviation International News
  • Best In-Depth Feature, Judges Commendation, Jon Ostrower’s “A different way to think about the future of flying in China”; and winner Guy Norris’s “Mind the Gap” in Aviation Week & Space Technology
  • Bill Gunston Technology Writer of the Year, Patrick Veillette
  • Aerospace Reporter of the Year, Greg Waldron
  • Outstanding Achievement in Aviation Photography, Katsuhiko Tokunaga
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Jacques Callies, Aviation et Pilote

Held for the first time at Paris Air Show since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic paused the venerable convention, the tenth-anniversary event also gave all in attendance—led by organizer Peter Branfield of Branfield & Associates—the chance to honor fellow journalist Jerry Siebenmark, of Aviation International News, posthumously, with a raise of their watches in his memory. FLYING contributor Fred George was recognized by a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.

Julie Boatman
Julie BoatmanContributor
Based in Maryland, Boatman is an aviation educator and author. She holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Douglas DC-3 and CE510 (Citation Mustang) type ratings. She's a CFI/CFII since 1993, specializing in advanced aircraft and flight instructor development.

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