Vertical Flight Society Award Recipients
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.
2026
The Sikorsky Aircraft Stratford Facility
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
For its enduring impact on the evolution of vertical flight. Since 1955, the site has produced more than 8,000 helicopters, including numerous industry firsts and the world’s most successful helicopter program, the BLACK HAWK. As the home of Igor Sikorsky and a continuous center of innovation, it stands as a lasting symbol of pioneering achievement in vertical flight.
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
For its enduring impact on the evolution of vertical flight. Since 1955, the site has produced more than 8,000 helicopters, including numerous industry firsts and the world’s most successful helicopter program, the BLACK HAWK. As the home of Igor Sikorsky and a continuous center of innovation, it stands as a lasting symbol of pioneering achievement in vertical flight.
The Bell Textron Canada Mirabel Facility
The Bell Textron Canada
For its enduring impact on global helicopter manufacturing. Since 1986, the site has produced more than 6,000 helicopters and served as the development and first-flight site for multiple Bell aircraft.
The Bell Textron Canada
For its enduring impact on global helicopter manufacturing. Since 1986, the site has produced more than 6,000 helicopters and served as the development and first-flight site for multiple Bell aircraft.
2025
Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York
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.
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.
Penfield Reef, Fairfield, Connecticut
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.
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.
2024
The Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland
The wind tunnel has been the site of many tests of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designs and associated components beginning in the 1950s and continuing to the present. VTOL aircraft include helicopters (tandem and single rotor); jet VTOL; tilt-wing; rotor research; aerodynamic; component drag and stability studies.
University of Maryland
The wind tunnel has been the site of many tests of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designs and associated components beginning in the 1950s and continuing to the present. VTOL aircraft include helicopters (tandem and single rotor); jet VTOL; tilt-wing; rotor research; aerodynamic; component drag and stability studies.
2022
Sikorsky's Bridgeport, Connecticut, Facility
Sikorsky's Bridgeport, Connecticut, Facility
Recognized for 70+ years of historic contributions — from its start in 1943 as the production site for “the world’s first production helicopter,” the Sikorsky R-4, to modern engineering and technological contributions to the vertical flight products of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company.
Sikorsky's Bridgeport, Connecticut, Facility
Recognized for 70+ years of historic contributions — from its start in 1943 as the production site for “the world’s first production helicopter,” the Sikorsky R-4, to modern engineering and technological contributions to the vertical flight products of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company.
2021
Hughes Helicopter Culver City Plant
This year, the former Hughes Helicopter Culver City Plant — the site of all Hughes Helicopter research, development and production from 1948 to 1983 — was selected for its historic significance.
This year, the former Hughes Helicopter Culver City Plant — the site of all Hughes Helicopter research, development and production from 1948 to 1983 — was selected for its historic significance.
2020
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (MAC)
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (MAC)
This year, the former McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (MAC), was selected for its historic significance. In 1943, MAC established a helicopter division to embark on new rotorcraft designs that advanced the state of the art. At this site, now Boeing St Louis, MAC designed, developed and flew record-setting twin rotors, tipjet rotor, and compound tipjet powered helicopters.
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (MAC)
This year, the former McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (MAC), was selected for its historic significance. In 1943, MAC established a helicopter division to embark on new rotorcraft designs that advanced the state of the art. At this site, now Boeing St Louis, MAC designed, developed and flew record-setting twin rotors, tipjet rotor, and compound tipjet powered helicopters.
2019
The Henrich Focke Wind Tunnel in Bremen, Germany
The wind tunnel, finished in 1963, was built by German helicopter pioneer Henrich Focke and was his last research laboratory. In addition, the site was previously the workshop of the carpenter who had built the first wind tunnel model for Focke-Wulf in 1923.
The wind tunnel, finished in 1963, was built by German helicopter pioneer Henrich Focke and was his last research laboratory. In addition, the site was previously the workshop of the carpenter who had built the first wind tunnel model for Focke-Wulf in 1923.
2018
The Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The first chair, Montgomery Knight, introduced rotorcraft engineering from the department’s inception, resulting in one of the first universities in the United States to offer a formal education in the field.
Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The first chair, Montgomery Knight, introduced rotorcraft engineering from the department’s inception, resulting in one of the first universities in the United States to offer a formal education in the field.
Weston-super-Mare Airport, North Somerset, Great Britain
This Airport has been involved with helicopters since Bristol Aeroplane Company chief helicopter designer Raoul Hafner temporarily located his office there in 1945. Today, the Helicopter Museum, which opened on the property in 1989, keeps the heritage of the site alive.
This Airport has been involved with helicopters since Bristol Aeroplane Company chief helicopter designer Raoul Hafner temporarily located his office there in 1945. Today, the Helicopter Museum, which opened on the property in 1989, keeps the heritage of the site alive.
2014
The Bell Helicopter Gardenville Site in Cheektowaga, New York
The Pratt & Whitney Canada Plant, Longueuil, Quebec
Pratt & Whitney
On and near this site, Pratt & Whitney Canada has made tremendous contributions to the advancement of vertical flight. In 1946, the company became one of the Canada's helicopter pioneers when it obtained the Canadian sales and service rights for helicopter made by Sikorsky and later established one of Canada's first heliports and the country's first helicopter overhaul facility.
Pratt & Whitney
On and near this site, Pratt & Whitney Canada has made tremendous contributions to the advancement of vertical flight. In 1946, the company became one of the Canada's helicopter pioneers when it obtained the Canadian sales and service rights for helicopter made by Sikorsky and later established one of Canada's first heliports and the country's first helicopter overhaul facility.
Cached June 18, 2026 11:10:26 PM CDT