The Aviation Achievement award is presented to those who show through their acts, a willingness to promote aviation in Kentucky and the world.  Through the hard work of Tim Smith, Science teacher at Frankfort High School, Kentucky now has 23 high schools with aviation as a science program, beginning with freshmen through seniors. The Institute for Aerospace Education started with one high school in 2010.

Peter J. Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, recently stated at the Kentucky Aviation Association conference that Kentucky is doing more for STEM education and aviation than any other state because of the institute. Couple that with the Eastern Kentucky Aviation Professional Pilots program (No. 1 in the nation), Morehead State University Aerospace program, now one of the best in the country, the UK-NASA program, Somerset Vocational/Technical Aviation Mechanics program, Embry Riddle University program in Louisville, and Jefferson Community College Aviation Mechanics program, and you have a whole lot of youngsters getting a great education.