Meritorious Military Pilot of the German Democratic Republic

Meritorious Military Pilot of the GDR () was the highest honorary title awarded to military pilots of the East German National People's Army. It was given in form of a Medal. Established on August 1, 1974 by the Council of Ministers of the GDR, it was awarded until the dissolution of the GDR in 1990.
Award criteria.
The honorary title could be awarded for:
The number of awarded people was limited to 10 military pilots per year.
Medal description.
The golden medal had the shape of a pentagon with the top below tip, width 31.5 mm and high 41.5 mm. On the lower tip there is to be seen the aircraft emblem of the National People's Army (NPA), a stand on the head flag of the (GDR), that is colorful enameled. The biggest part of the medal is occupied by a MiG-23 or MiG-21 that steeply takes off to the sky in front of the bright rising sun.
Left to the aircraft there is a laurel-bough, and right to it the oblique wording is to be seen. The reverse, however, is empty and glossy.
Different versions have been issued:
Wear.
The medal was worn on the left breast suspended from a pentagonal sky blue ribbon of 25 × 14 mm size. The ribbon bar was adequate and showed additionally the golden aircraft emblem of National People's Army of the in miniature format.
Recipients (compleete list).
The individuals below were recipients of the honorary title of "Honoured Military Pilot of the GDR".