NBAA Honors The Air Current’s Elan Head with 2025 Gold Wing Award
/The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today recognized Elan Head, senior editor of The Air Current, with NBAA’s 2025 Gold Wing Award for Journalism Excellence, recognizing insightful and accurate reporting on matters affecting business aviation.
Head received the award prior to the opening of the 2025 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), taking place from Oct. 14 – 16, in Las Vegas, NV.
Head received the Gold Wing Award for her article “Breaking Down the FAA’s New eVTOL Operating Rules,” which delves into the agency’s Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) that established requirements for the safe and efficient integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) into the nation’s aviation system. Then-Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker unveiled the SFAR at last year’s NBAA-BACE.
A commercially rated helicopter pilot and FAA Gold Seal instructor, Head has covered the emerging AAM and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for The Air Current since October 2021, as well as technologies to enhance aviation safety and sustainability.
Head also is a frequent contributor to Vertical Magazine, covering multiple aspects of the rotorcraft industry and the role of technologies such as AAM and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
“Elan’s article presents clear and detailed explanations of a highly complex topic, as well as the SFAR’s relevance to all segments of the industry, including business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This builds upon her other consistent, accurate and engaging content that illuminates the promise of these emerging technologies, and we’re pleased to recognize her work with our Gold Wing Award.”
NBAA presents its annual Gold Wing Award to highlight journalism’s important role in reporting the significant contributions of business aviation to the national economy, as well as the many ways in which the industry supports citizens, companies and communities across the U.S. The award recognizes both trade and non-trade media.