Vertical Flight Society Awards
Every great leap in vertical flight begins with bold ideas—and the people behind them.
Since 1944, the Vertical Flight Society's Awards Program has celebrated the innovators, visionaries, and trailblazers who drive our industry forward. From engineers and researchers to leaders in government, academia, and industry, our awardees represent the very best in vertical flight.
Each year, we proudly recognize their achievements at the Annual Grand Awards Banquet, the highlight of the VFS Annual Forum and Technology Display—an event dedicated to honoring excellence, innovation, and inspiration.
Individual Awards
François-Xavier Bagnoud Award
Recognizes an outstanding career-to-date contribution to vertical flight technology by a society member who is 35 years old or younger.
Learn more about the François-Xavier Bagnoud Award Award
Frederick L. Feinberg Award
Presented to the vertical flight aircraft pilot or crew who demonstrated outstanding skills or achievement during the preceding 18 months.
Learn more about the Frederick L. Feinberg Award Award
Paul E. Haueter Award
Presented for an outstanding technical innovation in the development of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft other than a helicopter or other operational VTOL aircraft.
Learn more about the Paul E. Haueter Award Award
Honorary Fellows
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.
Learn more about the Honorary Fellows Award
Dr. Alexander Klemin Award
Given for notable achievement in advancement of vertical flight aeronautics.
Learn more about the Dr. Alexander Klemin Award Award
Alexander A. Nikolsky Honorary Lectureship
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.
Learn more about the Alexander A. Nikolsky Honorary Lectureship Award
John J. Schneider Historical Achievement Award
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.
Learn more about the John J. Schneider Historical Achievement Award Award
Technical Fellows
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.
Learn more about the Technical Fellows Award
Alex M. Stoll Award
Learn more about the Alex M. Stoll Award Award
Group Awards
Leonardo International Fellowship Award
Recognizes significant contributions to the extension of fellowship and accomplishment in the international vertical flight community.
Learn more about the Leonardo International Fellowship Award Award
Grover E. Bell Award
Given for an outstanding research and experimentation contribution to the field of vertical flight development brought to fruition during the preceding 18 months.
Learn more about the Grover E. Bell Award Award
Howard Hughes Award
Given in recognition of an outstanding improvement in fundamental vertical flight technology brought to fruition during the preceding 18 months.
Learn more about the Howard Hughes Award Award
Harry T. Jensen Award
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.
Learn more about the Harry T. Jensen Award Award
Captain William J. Kossler, USCG Award
Given for the greatest achievement during the preceding 18 months related to the operation or application of a vertical flight aircraft.
Learn more about the Captain William J. Kossler, USCG Award Award
Robert L. Pinckney Award
Is given in recognition of notable achievement in manufacturing research and development for rotorcraft or rotorcraft components brought to fruition in recent years.
Learn more about the Robert L. Pinckney Award Award
Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy
Given to the company that designed and manufactured a pure helicopter establishing an official record during the preceding 18 months in the official Class E-1 category for maximum speed, altitude, distance or payload.
Learn more about the Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy Award
Supplier Excellence Award
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.
Learn more about the Supplier Excellence Award Award
Vertical Flight Heritage Site
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.
Learn more about the Vertical Flight Heritage Site Award
Technical Paper Awards
Alfred Gessow Award
Given to the Best Paper at each VFS Annual Forum.
Learn more about the Alfred Gessow Award Award
Robert L. Lichten Award
Established to provide an incentive to VFS members, who have not previously presented the results of their work at a technical forum, to begin presenting their work at local and regional VFS meetings.
Learn more about the Robert L. Lichten Award Award
The Bernard Lindenbaum Historical Paper Award
The Vertical Flight Society has been presenting this prestigious Historical Best Paper since 2007. This award was established for furthering the international efforts to enhance the interest and reach of the history of vertical flight for today's and future generations.
Learn more about the The Bernard Lindenbaum Historical Paper Award Award
Membership Awards
Chapter Member Increase Contest
First place awarded to the VFS chapter with the greatest net growth at the end of the contest period.
Learn more about the Chapter Member Increase Contest Award
Chapter Percent Increase Contest
First place is awarded to the VFS chapter with the greatest percent increase at the end of the contest period.
Learn more about the Chapter Percent Increase Contest Award
Every Member-Get-A-Member Contest
Sponsor a minimum of 20 new members before April 1st to be eligible to win. The winner receives a trip to the Annual Forum, including airfare, hotel accommodations, registration and tickets to all social functions (including a spouse or partner).
Learn more about the Every Member-Get-A-Member Contest Award
Individual Member Sponsor Contest
Sponsor a minimum of 20 new members before April 1st to be eligible to win the Individual Member Sponsor Contest Award. The winner receives a trip to the Annual Forum, including airfare, hotel accommodations, registration and tickets to all social functions (including a spouse or partner).
Learn more about the Individual Member Sponsor Contest Award