Longtime U.S. Representative Sam Graves of Missouri will be honored with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) 2026 Freedom of Flight Award, the organization’s highest distinction, in recognition of his decades of service and advocacy on behalf of general aviation. The award will be presented by EAA CEO and Chairman Jack J. Pelton at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, during the Congressional Forum in Forum Pavilion 4 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This year’s AirVenture takes place July 20–26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Graves, who is retiring from Congress at the end of his current term, has represented Missouri’s 6th Congressional District since 2001. Since 2019, he has served as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has also co-chaired the House General Aviation Caucus, where he became one of the strongest congressional advocates for recreational and general aviation.
(Image credit: EAA/Sam Sasin)
“Sam Graves’ congressional career has embodied his dedication to aviation and to public service,” said Pelton. “His bipartisan efforts and achievements have supported, preserved, and advanced recreational aviation in America. EAA’s Freedom of Flight Award not only recognizes Sam for all that he has done, but it serves as a thank-you to him for his strong advocacy on behalf of aviators and the general aviation community.” Throughout his congressional career, Graves played a leading role in several major aviation initiatives, including:
- Helping develop and secure passage of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, which, for the first time, included a dedicated General Aviation title featuring provisions such as a timeline for MOSAIC implementation, expansion of BasicMed, and increased Airport Improvement Program funding.
- Supporting modernization and funding of the nation’s air traffic control system.
- Opposing proposals to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system.
- Supporting the Pilot’s Bill of Rights.
- Advocating for the Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) framework and experimental aircraft flight training.
Established in 1986, the EAA Freedom of Flight Award recognizes individuals whose contributions to aviation reflect the integrity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of EAA members. Previous recipients include Neil Armstrong, Burt Rutan, Scott Crossfield, and actor and pilot Cliff Robertson. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.
