Ohio State Wins Prestigious Loening Trophy for Aviation Excellence

The university's aviation program recognized as the best in the country by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:49am

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Ohio State University's aviation program has been awarded the prestigious Loening Trophy, considered the most prestigious honor in collegiate aviation. The trophy, first conceived at Ohio State in 1929, is given annually to the school with the overall best aviation program, recognizing excellence in training future aviators. Ohio State's program was selected this year due to recent investments, including a new Boeing 737 simulator, as well as its diverse curriculum options and strong alumni network.

Why it matters

The Loening Trophy is a significant accolade that highlights Ohio State's leadership in collegiate aviation education. As air travel demand continues to grow, the award underscores Ohio State's role in innovating and training the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals to meet industry needs.

The details

The Loening Trophy was originally awarded for flying skills and hours, but the criteria has shifted to recognize the overall excellence of a university's aviation program. Ohio State was selected this year based on factors like its recent investments in facilities, diverse curriculum options, and strong alumni network. The trophy was first conceived at Ohio State in 1929 and is now returning to its original home.

  • The Loening Trophy was awarded to Ohio State on February 23, 2026.
  • The trophy was first conceived at Ohio State in 1929.

The players

Ohio State University

A public research university located in Columbus, Ohio, with a renowned aviation program.

National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA)

The organization that awards the Loening Trophy each year to celebrate excellence in collegiate aviation.

Wesley Holtz

A second-year student in air transportation and member of the aviation fraternity Alpha Eta Rho at Ohio State.

Noah Alapat

A second-year student in air transportation at Ohio State who highlighted the historical significance of the Loening Trophy.

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What they’re saying

“It's really cool to see that piece of history coming back to our university. [Ohio State was] the place where it was first conceived, so it being back here and on display here just shows how great our program is and how we continue to push the excellence of collegiate aviation.”

— Wesley Holtz, Second-year student in air transportation, Ohio State University (thelantern.com)

“It's very symbolic that it's coming back here to Ohio state, where some of the first advances in aviation have taken place from the Wright Brothers, to the first scheduled air carrier service from Columbus to Dayton.”

— Noah Alapat, Second-year student in air transportation, Ohio State University (thelantern.com)

What’s next

Ohio State's aviation program will now focus on designing a proposal for a next-generation training aircraft as part of a competition organized by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

The takeaway

Ohio State's aviation program has cemented its status as a national leader, earning the prestigious Loening Trophy and demonstrating its commitment to innovation and excellence in collegiate aviation education. The award highlights the university's role in training the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals to meet the growing demands of the industry.