The National Aeronautic Association has released the list of nominees for the 2009 Robert J. Collier Trophy, as well as the names of those individuals who will serve on the Collier Trophy Selection Committee.
The nominees are: Aircell, Ares 1, C-5M Super Galaxy, Kandahar Airfield Operations Team, International Space Station, MC-12W Project Liberty Enterprise Team, SpaceX Falcon 1 Development Team, and John Warner and the Excalibur Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle.
The Collier Trophy is awarded annually “….for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America.” Past winners include the crews of Apollo 11 and Apollo 8, the Mercury 7, Scott Crossfield, Elmer Sperry and Howard Hughes. Projects and programs which have been the recipient of the Collier include the B-52, the Polaris Missile, the Surveyor Moon Landing Program, the Boeing 747, the Cessna Citation, the Gulfstream V and the F-22.
Led by NAA Chairman Walter Boyne, the selection committee consists of 31 leaders representing organizations throughout aviation and aerospace. The members are: Norman Augustine, Marion Blakey, Aerospace Industries Association, Robert Blouin, Hawker Beechcraft Corp., Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association, Steven Callaghan, National Aviation Club Awards and Events Board, NAA, David Coleal, Bombardier LearJet, Ralph Crosby, EADS North America, Rudy Deleon, Center for American Progress, David Franson, Wichita Aero Club, Mathew Greene, Safe Flight Instrument Corp., Roy Kiefer, Lockheed Martin, John Langford, Aurora Flight Sciences, Thomas McKee, Northrop Grumman, David Manke, United Technologies Corp., John Marino, FlightSafety International, David Mathewson, Academy of Model Aeronautics, Mary Miller, Signature Flight Support, Stan O’Connor, GE Aviation, Henry Ogrodzinski, National Association of State Aviation Officials, Georgia Pappas, Aero Club of New England/The Ninety-Nines, Steven Plummer, Rolls-Royce, North America,Durwood (Skip) Ringo, DRS Technologies, Alvin Sack, WBB Consulting, Monroe (Buddy) Sams, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Edward Scott, United States Parachute Association, Robert Stangarone, Cessna Aircraft Co., Robert Sturgill, Rockwell Collins, Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen, Anthony Velocci, Aviation Week, and Robert Vilhauer, The Boeing Co.
The committee will meet on Tuesday, March 2, in Arlington, Virginia, and the winner will be announced the next day, March 3, at the NAA Spring Awards Luncheon to be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. The formal presentation of the Collier Trophy will take place May 13 at the Collier Dinner in Arlington, Virginia. For more information: NAA.aero
