An Annual Tradition: The ALPA Air Safety Organization Awards
ALPA Honors Members’ Remarkable Achievements
At its annual Air Safety Forum Award Banquet—held September 15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.—ALPA celebrated pilots who demonstrated exceptional teamwork on the flight deck along with those dedicated pilot volunteers who helped to make the airline piloting profession safer and more secure.
“Much of that work takes place behind the scenes, often without recognition, but its impact is felt across our Association and throughout the airline industry,” said Capt. Wendy Morse, ALPA first vice president and national safety coordinator.
Superior Aviating: Frontier Crew Navigates Emergency
Capt. Eric “Scott” Seybold and F/O Heli Desai (Frontier) received ALPA’s Superior Aviating Award for their handling of an emergency aboard Flight 1473 on January 29, 2026.
Shortly after their Airbus A320 departed Philadelphia for Tampa, erroneous angle-of-attack information triggered multiple electronic centralized aircraft monitoring warnings and repeated stall alerts, even though the aircraft’s performance did not indicate an actual stall.
Seybold hand flew the aircraft, relying on pitch, power, airspeed, and outside visual references to maintain a safe flight path. Desai managed checklists and procedures, communicated with air traffic control, and helped coordinate their emergency return to Philadelphia, where the crew landed the aircraft safely.
Presenting the award, ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi emphasized the importance of two qualified pilots working together when technology fails.
“The professionalism, communication, and shared decision-making that two pilots bring to every flight remain among aviation’s most important safety defenses,” Ambrosi said.
Accepting the award, Seybold credited the entire crew, including the flight attendants, and singled out Desai’s crew resource management.
Jumpseat Award: United Pilot’s 15 Years of Dedicated Service
ALPA’s Aviation Jumpseat Award went to Capt. Paul Emery (United), who has served as an ALPA volunteer for more than 15 years. As vice chair of ALPA’s National Jumpseat Group, Emery has worked to preserve access and educate pilots about the responsibilities accompanying the privilege.
In his acceptance remarks, Emery described jumpseating as “a lifeline” that helped him provide for his family while remaining present in their lives. He emphasized that preserving access requires continued care.
Pilot Assistance Award: JetBlue Pilot’s Compassion
F/O Maynard “Ozzie” Osborne (JetBlue) received the Pilot Assistance Award for his compassionate support of pilots confronting personal crises, medical concerns, career uncertainty, and mental health challenges. Osborne emphasized the difference volunteers can make simply by listening and giving fellow pilots an opportunity to share their concerns.
“Just that small moment of taking the time to talk with someone and help them out, you would be surprised how much that makes a difference in someone’s life,” said Osborne.
Air Safety Award: Spirit Pilot’s Leadership
Capt. Kevin Slovinski (Spirit) received the Air Safety Award for his leadership in the Safety Information Analysis Program, Safety Management System Technical Group, and volunteer education. His work has helped pilot groups strengthen voluntary safety programs, contractual safety provisions, and the collection and analysis of safety data.
Slovinski credited colleagues and teams who made that work possible. He also described the support he received after Spirit’s shutdown, when more than 50 fellow volunteers reached out to check on him, offer assistance, and help him find employment.
“I’ve never achieved anything on my own,” said Slovinski, referencing the people in his life who have always been there to support him.
Presidential Citations
During an ASO Town Hall presentation on Wednesday, September 16, ALPA also honored four volunteers who received Presidential Citations for their service in each of the four pillars of the ASO: jumpseat, pilot assistance, security, and safety.
Aviation Jumpseat
Capt. Robbie Fernandez (Delta) was honored for nearly two decades of volunteer leadership protecting jumpseat access and supporting the pilots who depend on it.
Pilot Assistance
Capt. Roger Mapel (United) was recognized for compassionate service through the Critical Incident Response Program, supporting pilots following traumatic events and helping coordinate peer resources.
Aviation Security
Capt. Scott Robertson (Air Canada) was honored for advancing pilot inclusion in security programs, improving dedicated crew screening access, and developing resources to strengthen pilots’ security awareness and personal safety.
Air Safety
Capt. Matt Gorshe (Spirit) was recognized for his leadership following the PSA Flight 5342 midair collision, preparation of PSA representatives for the NTSB investigation, and contributions to safety volunteer training.
Airport of the Year
Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is ALPA’s Airport of the Year recipient, recognized for its commitment to operational safety and collaboration with pilots. Its accomplishments include strengthening aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities, maintaining an effective Local Runway Safety Team, and incorporating pilot feedback into safety decisions.
More from the Air Safety Forum
The annual Air Safety Forum allows ALPA, as the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization, to work across pilot groups and with industry and government partners in the fields of safety, security, jumpseat, and pilot assistance. Public sessions of the forum covered critical topics like simulators, Land and Hold Short Operations, new turbulence avoidance technology, ADS-B In, air traffic control modernization, runway safety, and much more. The event’s long list of expert speakers provided crucial opportunities for collaboration across the industry.
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