The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has recently held its annual awards ceremony handing out the global aerospace community’s most prestigious and long-standing awards that honour achievement and innovation in the sector.
Being awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the RAeS is the highest distinction for aerospace achievement snd is awarded only to those who make the most outstanding contributions to aerospace.
This year saw two honorary fellowships being awarded to Group Captain Peter Hackett – Head of Air Experimentation Unit RAF and Dr Balakumar Balachandran- Professor at the University of Maryland. Group Captain Peter Hackett was recognised for his work in advancing the RAF’s aircraft and their capabilities and Dr Balakumar Balachandran for pioneering a combination of methodologies, experimental studies and nonlinear analysis in advancing our understanding of the mechanics and dynamic of flexible structures used in both the aviation and space sectors.
Ms Corinne Matthews received an Honorary Companion award for her role in the development of the aerospace sector within the Southwest Local Enterprise Partnership between government and industry.
The Head of Airbus’ Wing of Tomorrow project, Sue Partridge recieved the RAeS Gold Medal for her part in shaping the future of aviation.
Other awards included:
Teams Awards
Teams Gold Medal
• Journey to Ultrafan – Rolls-Royce
Teams Silver Medal
• The Air and Space Warfare Centre Protector Test Team – RAF and USAF
Teams Bronze Medal
• Team Hyperion – Airbus
• The Flight Start Challenge Team – Leonardo Helicopters UK
Society Specialist Awards
Roger Green Human Factors Medal
• Brenton Hayward – Managing Director of Dedale Asia Pacific
WAAC Award
• Sally Smith – Researcher and Author
Geoffrey Pardoe Space Award
• Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA)
Turnbuckle Award
• Christopher Lawrence – UK CAA General Aviation Unit
Honorary Companion
• Corinne Matthews – Aerospace and Nuclear Sector Lead for Somerset Council
Young Persons’ Awards
Young Person’s Achievement Award
• Danielle Ashwell – Student at the University of Brimingham Air Squadron
Alan Marsh Award
• Isobel Taylor – Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Technician Boeing
Herbet Le Seuer Award
• Thomas Turner – Avionic Mechanic RAF