The Vertical Flight Society's Awards Program was initiated in 1944 and over the years has paid tribute to the world's outstanding leaders in industry, government and academia. The number of awards presented annually has grown steadily, as has the prestige and importance associated with them. The Vertical Flight Society Awards Program acts as a catalyst for stimulating technological advances in vertical flight aircraft.
The 2025 Awards Ceremony will take place during Forum 81 on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 7:30am–9:00am. The program schedule is below.
Welcome
Angelo Collins
Executive Director, Vertical Flight Society
Mikaël Cardinal
Unither Bioelectronics
VFS Membership
VFS Chapter Member and Percentage Increase
Montréal / Ottawa Chapter
Accepted by Laurent Pieraut, Belcan
Awarded to the VFS chapter with the greatest net growth.
Forum Technical
Dr. Al Brand
Bell Textron
Technical Director, Vertical Flight Society
Recognition of Forum 81 Technical Chair
Dr. Maryam Khoshlahjeh
Archer Aviation
Recognition of Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the American Helicopter Society
Dr. Glen Whitehouse
Continuum Dynamics, Inc.
VFS Awards
Harry Nahatis
GE Aerospace (Ret.)
Chair of the Board, Vertical Flight Society
Alexander A. Nikolsky Honorary Lectureship
Dr. Peter Lorber
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
“The Complementary Roles of Experiment and Analysis in Developing Rotorcraft Aerodynamics”
Given to an individual who has a highly distinguished career in vertical flight aircraft research and development and is skilled at communicating their technical knowledge and experience. Established in 1981, the award honors a member of Igor Sikorsky’s original team and, later, a Princeton University professor who educated a generation of helicopter engineers.
Technical Fellows
Dr. Hao Kang
Aeroelasticity Team Lead
U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
Kang is a renowned rotorcraft aeromechanics expert, recognized for his contributions to tiltrotor aeroelastic stability—including as part of a team that won the 2024 VFS Grover E. Bell Award—rotorcraft simulation (RCAS and FLIGHTLAB), and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) innovation, with over 100 publications and multiple patents.
VFS Technical Fellowships are granted to Society members whose career-based accomplishments towards the goals and objectives of the vertical flight community constitute an outstanding technical achievement.
Technical Fellows
Glen Knaust
Lockheed Martin Technical Fellow and Experimental Test Pilot
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Knaust is a distinguished technical leader in vertical flight, renowned for his expertise in test piloting, flight safety, and fly-by-wire systems, with contributions that have set industry standards and continue to shape the future of rotary-wing aviation.
VFS Technical Fellowships are granted to Society members whose career-based accomplishments towards the goals and objectives of the vertical flight community constitute an outstanding technical achievement.
Technical Fellows
Thomas H. Maier
Chief of the Aeroflightdynamics Division
US Army DEVCOM AvMC
Maier is a leading expert in rotorcraft aeromechanics, advancing aeroelastic stability, rotor dynamics, and dynamic stall modeling while driving US Army, NASA and international collaborations, earning multiple VFS awards and mentoring future leaders.
VFS Technical Fellowships are granted to Society members whose career-based accomplishments towards the goals and objectives of the vertical flight community constitute an outstanding technical achievement.
Technical Fellows
Dr. Klausdieter Pahlke
German Aerospace Center - DLR
Dr. Pahlke is a pioneering expert in rotorcraft computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and aeroelastic simulations, renowned for advancing high-fidelity modeling, leading international collaborations, and developing industry-standard CFD tools.
VFS Technical Fellowships are granted to Society members whose career-based accomplishments towards the goals and objectives of the vertical flight community constitute an outstanding technical achievement.
Leonardo International Fellowship Award
UH-60 & CH-53D Support Team
Israeli Air Force and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
Award accepted by Vannessa Pendleton – Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
Honored for outstanding collaboration in sustaining UH-60 and CH-53D helicopter operations. Their efforts enhanced aircraft availability, improved maintenance processes, and ensured mission readiness—even under conflict conditions.
Recognizes significant contributions to the extension of fellowship and accomplishment in the international vertical flight community.
Frederick L. Feinberg Award
Mission Adaptive Autonomy Flight Test Team
US Army DEVCOM AvMC
Award accepted by LTC Wesley Ogden, U.S. Army, and presented by Lourdes Maglieri, Kaman Air Vehicles (award sponsor)
The team demonstrated autonomous external load delivery in complex, contested environments using sensor-based navigation and real-time route adaptation, setting a new benchmark in rotorcraft autonomy and logistics.
Presented to the vertical flight aircraft pilot or crew who demonstrated outstanding skills or achievement during the preceding 18 months.
François-Xavier Bagnoud Award
Dr. Vera Klimchenko
Senior Aeronautical Engineer
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Dr. Klimchenko’s work has significantly influenced rotorcraft digital transformation, shaping future flight technology and rotorcraft performance optimization.
Recognizes an outstanding career-to-date contribution to vertical flight technology by a society member who is 35 years old or younger.
François-Xavier Bagnoud Award
Umberto Saetti
Assistant Professor
University of Maryland
Dr. Saetti’s research and leadership are shaping the future of rotorcraft simulation, control and pilot training.
Recognizes an outstanding career-to-date contribution to vertical flight technology by a society member who is 35 years old or younger.
Paul E. Haueter Award
Jim Tighe
Chief Technology Officer
Wisk Aero - a Boeing Company subsidiary
Tighe’s leadership and technical expertise have significantly advanced the electric VTOL / advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.
Presented for an outstanding technical innovation in the development of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft other than a helicopter or other operational VTOL aircraft.
Grover E. Bell Award
Rapid Wildfire Response Demonstration Team
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and Rain
Award accepted by Apoorva Kharche and Mohaimenul Islam, RAIN and Alex Weintraub, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
For executing the first fully autonomous aerial firefighting mission. By integrating Sikorsky’s autonomous Black Hawk with Rain’s wildfire detection system, the team enabled rapid, precise, and around-the-clock wildfire suppression, advancing the future of autonomous fire response.
Given for an outstanding research and experimentation contribution to the field of vertical flight development brought to fruition during the preceding 18 months.
Supplier Excellence Award
Alpha Q, Inc. (AQI)
Alpha Q, Inc.
Award accepted by Mike Scotto, Alpha Q Inc. and Jane Lewellyn, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
For more than 15 years of delivering critical flight safety components with zero-defect quality and on-time performance. As an ELITE supplier to Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems, AQI has consistently demonstrated innovation and collaboration, particularly in high-priority production efforts.
Created in 1995, the VFS Supplier Excellence Award is given to a supplier who, through the quality, innovativeness and cost-effective technology of its products, has made a notable contribution to improving the state of the art of vertical flight aircraft.
Harry T. Jensen Award
Enhanced Maintenance Analysis Tool (EMAT) Team
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Award accepted by Garrett Argenna, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
Enhanced Maintenance Analysis Tool (EMAT) team (EMAT) uses AI and natural language processing to convert unstructured maintenance data into actionable insights, helping reduce downtime, identify failure trends, and enhance aircraft reliability across the enterprise.
Given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the improvement of rotorcraft reliability, maintainability, or safety through improved design brought to fruition during the preceding 18 months.
Robert L. Pinckney Award
Automated Blade Sanding Team
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Award accepted by Nicholas Stortini, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
The team developed and implemented a robotic blade sanding system that improves quality, increases production throughput and eliminates ergonomic risks. Now in full production, the system also delivers significant cost savings and is adaptable for future aircraft models.
Is given in recognition of notable achievement in manufacturing research and development for rotorcraft or rotorcraft components brought to fruition in recent years.
Howard Hughes Award
Airbus Helicopters Racer Team
Airbus Helicopters
Award accepted by Denis Descheemaeker and Martin Embacher, Airbus Helicopters
Developed under the Clean Sky 2 program, the Racer high-speed demonstrator surpassed 260 mph (420 km/h) shortly after its first flight. With innovations in aerodynamics, propulsion and systems design, Racer represents a leap forward in the development of fast, fuel-efficient rotorcraft.
Given in recognition of an outstanding improvement in fundamental vertical flight technology brought to fruition during the preceding 18 months.
John J. Schneider Historical Achievement Award
Harry Pember
Historian of Vertical Flight
Award accepted by Nick Lappos on behalf of Harry Pember
Pember is a key historian of vertical flight, founding the Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives, authoring four books, and preserving invaluable rotorcraft history.
Given in recognition of distinguished achievement of an individual in encouraging appreciation of and enhancing access to the history and legacy of vertical flight aircraft.
Vertical Flight Heritage Site
Penfield Reef, Fairfield, Connecticut
Award accepted by Stephen Mendrzychowski, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
Site of the world’s first helicopter hoist rescue in 1945, proving the helicopter’s life-saving potential and helping to establish its role in modern search and rescue.
Given to recognize and preserve noteworthy and significant contributions made in both the theory and practice of helicopter and other VTOL aircraft technology. This award promotes the rich history of the vertical lift industry to the public.
Vertical Flight Heritage Site
Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York
Award accepted by LT Mark Zinderman, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City
The first US Coast Guard and Navy helicopter base, it played a central role in early search and rescue (SAR), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and police aviation missions, and remains a pivotal site in rotorcraft history.
Given to recognize and preserve noteworthy and significant contributions made in both the theory and practice of helicopter and other VTOL aircraft technology. This award promotes the rich history of the vertical lift industry to the public.
Captain William J. Kossler, USCG Award
CAL FIRE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Award accepted by Ben Berman, Chief Helicopter Pilot, CAL FIRE
As operator of the world’s largest civilian firefighting aviation fleet, CAL FIRE has demonstrated exceptional capability in rapid deployment, advanced rescue operations, and pioneering night aerial suppression.
Given for the greatest achievement during the preceding 18 months related to the operation or application of a vertical flight aircraft.
Dr. Alexander Klemin Award
Dr. Michael Torok
Retired
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Recognized for his numerous innovative and technical contributions that have greatly advanced vertical flight and significantly strengthened defense capabilities.
Given for notable achievement in advancement of vertical flight aeronautics.
Honorary Fellows
Mike Hirschberg
Director of Strategy
Vertical Flight Society
Hirschberg’s contributions over the past three decades reflect his deep commitment to advancing vertical flight and aerospace education, while making a significant impact on technology, policy and the global community across industry, academia and government agencies.
Honorary Fellowships are granted to Society members whose career-based leadership, vision or other meritorious contribution has advanced significantly the interests of Vertical Flight Society and the vertical flight community. The granting of Honorary Fellows shall be in perpetuity and limited in number to two per annum.
Honorary Fellows
John O’Neill
Retired
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
O’Neill has dedicated over 40 years to advancing vertical flight, pioneering rotorcraft model-scale testing at Sikorsky, while providing exceptional service to the Society as a technical leader, committee chair, and organizer, strengthening industry collaboration, mentorship and pre-college outreach.
Honorary Fellowships are granted to Society members whose career-based leadership, vision or other meritorious contribution has advanced significantly the interests of Vertical Flight Society and the vertical flight community. The granting of Honorary Fellows shall be in perpetuity and limited in number to two per annum.
Alex M. Stoll Award
Natasha Schatzman
NASA Ames Research Center
Award accepted by Natasha Schatzman, with the award given by the parents of Alex Stoll
This year's winner is Dr. Natasha Schatzman who embodies qualities like exceptional commitment and contributions to the advancement of the mission of the organization, making a significant impact both personally and professionally in the workplace and the larger vertical flight community.
Presentation of Gavel by Outgoing VFS Chair
Harry Nahatis
GE Aerospace
VFS Chair of the Board, 2024–2025
to incoming chair
Kathleen “KJ” Jolivette
The Boeing Company
The Society thanks the members of the Awards Committee for their service:
Harry Nahatis, Chair of the Awards Committee
Dr. Albert G. Brand, Bell Textron, VFS Technical Director
Mr. Scott Hannula, GE Aerospace, Industry Representative
Dr. Robert C. Scott, US Army, Government Representative
Dr. Ilkay Yavrucuk, Technical University of Munich, Academic Representative