Vertical Flight Society Award Recipients
Leonardo International Fellowship Award
The Leonardo International Fellowship Award is given for significant contributions to international vertical flight cooperation. Established in 1989, the award honors the memory of Paolo Bellavita, whose career at Gruppo Agusta was marked by his dedication to furthering international cooperation in the world of vertical flight. The honoree receives a scale replica of the award, a statue of Pegasus.
2026
H-47 UK Extended Range Certification Team
The Boeing Company
For achieving the first-ever certification of a Chinook helicopter to UK DEF-STAN 970 standards and delivering a UK-signed Certificate of Design.
The Boeing Company
For achieving the first-ever certification of a Chinook helicopter to UK DEF-STAN 970 standards and delivering a UK-signed Certificate of Design.
2025
UH-60 & CH-53D Support Team
Israeli Air Force and 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.
Israeli Air Force and 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.
2024
Apache Attack Mission Systems Team
Boeing Defense Systems Software Engineering
The team designed and developed a mission systems product line that incorporated all domestic and international customer requirements, supports compile- and run-time detection of the Apache configuration, and was fielded for multiple domestic and international customers simultaneously.
Boeing Defense Systems Software Engineering
The team designed and developed a mission systems product line that incorporated all domestic and international customer requirements, supports compile- and run-time detection of the Apache configuration, and was fielded for multiple domestic and international customers simultaneously.
2023
MH-139A Supplemental Type Certification (STC) International Test Team
Leonardo and Boeing
For the team, across multiple sites, executed flight testing in support of the MH-139A expanded envelope and did so amid challenging programmatic and schedule constraints. The test planning and development effort involved over a year of technical collaboration between Boeing engineers in Philadelphia and Seattle, and Leonardo engineers in Italy and the UK.
Leonardo and Boeing
For the team, across multiple sites, executed flight testing in support of the MH-139A expanded envelope and did so amid challenging programmatic and schedule constraints. The test planning and development effort involved over a year of technical collaboration between Boeing engineers in Philadelphia and Seattle, and Leonardo engineers in Italy and the UK.
2022
Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) Systems and Test Team
They conducted an extraordinary international cooperative effort to design, develop and test a new avionics system with state-of-the-art industry standards. The avionics system was then integrated into the prototype and production line of the T70, the Turkish Aerospace-produced variant of the S-70i Black Hawk.
They conducted an extraordinary international cooperative effort to design, develop and test a new avionics system with state-of-the-art industry standards. The avionics system was then integrated into the prototype and production line of the T70, the Turkish Aerospace-produced variant of the S-70i Black Hawk.
2021
No Award Presented
2020
Subaru-Bell 412EPX Co-Development Team
Bell Textron Inc.
This year’s winner is the Subaru-Bell 412EPX Co-Development Team, representing the culmination of several years of close international fellowship and cooperation between design, certification and production teams in Japan, Canada and the United States.
Bell Textron Inc.
This year’s winner is the Subaru-Bell 412EPX Co-Development Team, representing the culmination of several years of close international fellowship and cooperation between design, certification and production teams in Japan, Canada and the United States.
2019
S-70i Chile Air Force Program Engineering Team
Chile Air Force, Sikorsky's Stratford and PZ Mielec- Poland
The Team conducted an extraordinary international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, qualify and deliver six highly-configured search and rescue (SAR) variants of the S-70i International Black Hawks in less than 2 years.
Chile Air Force, Sikorsky's Stratford and PZ Mielec- Poland
The Team conducted an extraordinary international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, qualify and deliver six highly-configured search and rescue (SAR) variants of the S-70i International Black Hawks in less than 2 years.
2018
Canadian Maritime Helicopter Combined Test Force Team
Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
For conducting an extraordinary, international cooperative effort to demonstrate the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter shipboard capability for conducting flight operations in Sea State 6 conditions.
Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
For conducting an extraordinary, international cooperative effort to demonstrate the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter shipboard capability for conducting flight operations in Sea State 6 conditions.
2017
NH90 Program
Airbus Helicopters; Leonardo Helicopters; Fokker Technologies
For its successful cooperative assembly lines in 6 countries supplying orders of more than 500 helicopters to 13 countries.
Airbus Helicopters; Leonardo Helicopters; Fokker Technologies
For its successful cooperative assembly lines in 6 countries supplying orders of more than 500 helicopters to 13 countries.
2016
UK Search and Rescue (SAR) Team
The SAR missions conducted by Bristow Helicopters Ltd for the United Kingdom's Maritime and Coast Guard Agency involves an extensive international team to design, develop, train the crews, support, maintain and equip the specially-commissioned Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW139 and AW189 fleet
The SAR missions conducted by Bristow Helicopters Ltd for the United Kingdom's Maritime and Coast Guard Agency involves an extensive international team to design, develop, train the crews, support, maintain and equip the specially-commissioned Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW139 and AW189 fleet
2015
William E. Chiles
CEO Emeritus of the Bristow Group
HeliOffshore
Chiles drove a safety culture within Bristow, and by working in partnership with the manufacturers, his customers, and his competitors, he demonstrated a commitment to safety that has become the industry standard
CEO Emeritus of the Bristow Group
HeliOffshore
Chiles drove a safety culture within Bristow, and by working in partnership with the manufacturers, his customers, and his competitors, he demonstrated a commitment to safety that has become the industry standard
2014
US/France Project Agreement on Helicopter Aeromechanics and Human Factors Integration Research
Established in 1971, the international collaboration is heralded as the longest-running, continuous scientific cooperation in rotorcraft for both the US and France. Its goal has been to tackle difficult and complex scientific research problems, to advance basic fundamental knowledge, and to perform precompetitive technology development, all to the benefit of the rotorcraft research and development community
Established in 1971, the international collaboration is heralded as the longest-running, continuous scientific cooperation in rotorcraft for both the US and France. Its goal has been to tackle difficult and complex scientific research problems, to advance basic fundamental knowledge, and to perform precompetitive technology development, all to the benefit of the rotorcraft research and development community
2013
S-92 Cabin International Transition Team
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and TATA
The team progressed from a true "green-field" start-up, built an assembly factory, hired and trained an aerospace workforce, established all supporting processes and procedures and successfully established a helicopter cabin assembly line producing at the required rate to support operations
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and TATA
The team progressed from a true "green-field" start-up, built an assembly factory, hired and trained an aerospace workforce, established all supporting processes and procedures and successfully established a helicopter cabin assembly line producing at the required rate to support operations
2012
HART II International Workshop Team
For assembling a worldwide effort to conduct analysis of higher harmonic control of rotors. This has led to numerous achievements such as validation of solvers and a deep understanding of blade vortex interaction mechanisms and their impact on rotor noise and vibrations
For assembling a worldwide effort to conduct analysis of higher harmonic control of rotors. This has led to numerous achievements such as validation of solvers and a deep understanding of blade vortex interaction mechanisms and their impact on rotor noise and vibrations
2011
Bell 429 CertificationTeam
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
For succeeding in certifying the Bell 429 for Day/Night VFR, Single and Dual Pilot IFR, and Category A by all three of the regulatory agencies involved during 2010.
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
For succeeding in certifying the Bell 429 for Day/Night VFR, Single and Dual Pilot IFR, and Category A by all three of the regulatory agencies involved during 2010.
2010
International Helicopter Safety Team
This team now represents the leading worldwide government/ industry/ operator safety initiative to reduce helicopter accidents.
This team now represents the leading worldwide government/ industry/ operator safety initiative to reduce helicopter accidents.
2009
International Rotorcraft Capability
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and PZL Mielect
This year’s winner, the Sikorsky / PZL Mielect International Rotorcraft Capability, a collaboration that transformed the PZL Mielec, Poland factory from an airplane manufacturer into a state-of-the-art manufacturing center to build UH-60M Black Hawks and Black Hawk components.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and PZL Mielect
This year’s winner, the Sikorsky / PZL Mielect International Rotorcraft Capability, a collaboration that transformed the PZL Mielec, Poland factory from an airplane manufacturer into a state-of-the-art manufacturing center to build UH-60M Black Hawks and Black Hawk components.
2008
Dr. Pietro Alli
Chief Technical Officer
AgustaWestland
This year’s winner is Pietro Alli, Chief Technical Officer, AgustaWestland. During the past two years, Mr. Alli has been highly active in the design of the VH-71 Increment 1 and Increment 2 helicopter for the President of the United States.
Chief Technical Officer
AgustaWestland
This year’s winner is Pietro Alli, Chief Technical Officer, AgustaWestland. During the past two years, Mr. Alli has been highly active in the design of the VH-71 Increment 1 and Increment 2 helicopter for the President of the United States.
2007
The Bell-Agusta Civil Tiltrotor Team
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. and AgustaWestland
This year’s winner is The Bell/Agusta 609 Civil Tiltrotor Team represented by Ross Menger, BA609 Technical Director and Silvano Scorbati, BA609 Deputy Technical Director and Agusta Chief Project Engineer. This award highlights the successful first flight of the second 609 prototype at the Agusta facility in Italy in 2006.
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. and AgustaWestland
This year’s winner is The Bell/Agusta 609 Civil Tiltrotor Team represented by Ross Menger, BA609 Technical Director and Silvano Scorbati, BA609 Deputy Technical Director and Agusta Chief Project Engineer. This award highlights the successful first flight of the second 609 prototype at the Agusta facility in Italy in 2006.
2006
The Boeing/CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Center) Team
For their significant achievements in advancing the process and procedures for icing prediction using state-of-the-art CFD codes.
For their significant achievements in advancing the process and procedures for icing prediction using state-of-the-art CFD codes.
2005
The Fly-by-Wire Research Team
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Canada National Research Council
Significant achievements in developing advanced Fly-by-Wire flight control laws.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Canada National Research Council
Significant achievements in developing advanced Fly-by-Wire flight control laws.
2004
No Award Presented
2003
The Black Hawk Individual Blade Control Team
NASA Ames Research Center, Sikorsky Aircraft, the US Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate and ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH
NASA Ames Research Center, Sikorsky Aircraft, the US Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate and ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH
2002
The Singapore Apache Team
The Boeing Co., Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Longbow Internatinal, Defense Science & Technology, US Army Aviation & Missile Command
In the picture - Dr. Jake Rutherford, Milly Tay, Michael Taylor, Ed Birtwell, Michael Taylor, Lim Wee Kheng, Colonel Ralph Pallotta.
The Boeing Co., Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Longbow Internatinal, Defense Science & Technology, US Army Aviation & Missile Command
In the picture - Dr. Jake Rutherford, Milly Tay, Michael Taylor, Ed Birtwell, Michael Taylor, Lim Wee Kheng, Colonel Ralph Pallotta.
2001
The International WAH-64 Apache Team
GKN Westland Helicopters, The Beoing Company, Rolls-Royce Turbomeca, Lockheed Martin and Longbow International
The Fellowship awarded for the most significant contribution to international vertical flight cooperation by this group.
GKN Westland Helicopters, The Beoing Company, Rolls-Royce Turbomeca, Lockheed Martin and Longbow International
The Fellowship awarded for the most significant contribution to international vertical flight cooperation by this group.
2000
The S-92 International Development Team
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Gamesa Aeronautica, Embraer, and Jingdezhen Helicopter Group.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Gamesa Aeronautica, Embraer, and Jingdezhen Helicopter Group.
1999
Somen Chowdhury
1998
Barney O'Shea
For his active and continuing promotion of international vertical flight cooperation. He is also the founder of the AHS Australia Chapter.
For his active and continuing promotion of international vertical flight cooperation. He is also the founder of the AHS Australia Chapter.
1997
Helmut Huber
(Award given Posthumously) For the important role he played in risk sharing and cooperative helicopter development efforts.
(Award given Posthumously) For the important role he played in risk sharing and cooperative helicopter development efforts.
1996
The Higher-Harmonic Control Aeroacoustic Rotor Test (HART) Program Team
The team generated a highly valuable test database for understanding the basic mechanisms which generate and control noise caused by helicopter rotor systems.
The team generated a highly valuable test database for understanding the basic mechanisms which generate and control noise caused by helicopter rotor systems.
1995
International Individual Blade Control Program
ZFLuftfahrttechnik GmbH, Eurocopter Deutschland, DLR Braunschweig Institute for Flight Mechanics; US Army Aerofligh-dynamics Directorate; and the NASA Ames Research Center
The International Individual Blade Control Program which successfully demonstrated simultaneous rotor noise and vibration reduction with a full scale rotor system.
ZFLuftfahrttechnik GmbH, Eurocopter Deutschland, DLR Braunschweig Institute for Flight Mechanics; US Army Aerofligh-dynamics Directorate; and the NASA Ames Research Center
The International Individual Blade Control Program which successfully demonstrated simultaneous rotor noise and vibration reduction with a full scale rotor system.
1994
US Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate
US Army
For more than twenty years of actively promoting and being involved in cooperative international research and development programs.
US Army
For more than twenty years of actively promoting and being involved in cooperative international research and development programs.
1993
Sergei I. Sikorsky
Sikorsky
For his thirty years of dedication to enhancing cooperation in the world vertical flight community.
Sikorsky
For his thirty years of dedication to enhancing cooperation in the world vertical flight community.
1992
Marat Tishchenko
1991
James Erickson, John J. Shapley, Robert Weaver and the FAA Rotorcraft Directorate Regulations Group
For their efforts to harmonize FAA and European Joint Airworthiness Authority standards.
For their efforts to harmonize FAA and European Joint Airworthiness Authority standards.
1990
Ian C. Cheeseman
Selected for his leadership in international vertical flight cooperation, exemplified by the ERF Award named for him.
Selected for his leadership in international vertical flight cooperation, exemplified by the ERF Award named for him.
1989
John F. Zugschwert
Executive Director
AHS
Executive Director
AHS
Cached June 18, 2026 11:10:17 PM CDT