General Aviation Awards Recognizes 2026 National Honorees

General Aviation Awards recognized three aviation professionals as its 2026 national honorees during an EAA AirVenture press conference Wednesday. Mike “Cuckoo” Kloch was named National Certified Flight Instructor of the Year, Roger Whittier received National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year honors, and Mike Jesch was selected National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. Kloch, based in Bend, Oregon, has logged more than 8,300 hours across 75 aircraft types and leads Part 141 upset prevention and recovery training through Specialized Aero Works. Whittier, who is based in Phoenix, is an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization, and he teaches maintenance through owner-assisted annual inspections. Jesch, based in Orange, California, is a Boeing 787 captain and active flight instructor supporting FAA Safety Team and WINGS Pilot Proficiency. The program has recognized aviation professionals since 1962, with national recipients recognized each July at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.