AIAA Tennessee Section accepting award nominations

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
TULLAHOMA, TENN. --  ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Tennessee Section is accepting nominations through April 14 to present annual awards recognizing significant technical accomplishments, outstanding achievements and support to AIAA Section activities.

This is an opportunity for individuals to recognize colleagues, peers, mentors and co-workers. The award criteria acknowledges the craftsman whose specialized skills fabricated designs into state-of-the-art precision instrumentation; the engineer whose innovative ideas and analysis approach resulted in significant cost savings and improved data quality; the administrative support personnel that assisted in organizing AIAA meetings and conferences, and the scientist that directed research efforts which contributed to the understanding of physical phenomenology.

Membership in AIAA is not a requirement for the recipient for two of the award categories – the Griffith Award and the Special Award – and for any of the five award categories, the nominators don’t need to be AIAA members.

The General H.H. Arnold Award is the most prestigious award presented by the AIAA Tennessee Section. The award recognizes outstanding personal contributions to the advancement of aerodynamic or astronautical sciences. The work must have been accomplished within the past year and the recipient of this award must be an AIAA member.

The Billy J. Griffith Engineering Analysis Award is presented in honor of an outstanding aerodynamicist and analysis engineer. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Billy Griffith supported hypersonic reentry vehicle testing in the Tunnel F facility at AEDC. In support of these testing efforts, he pioneered a structured analysis approach he called "Methodology." The approach spawned a lasting emphasis on Analysis and Evaluation at AEDC, which led to the Integrated Test and Evaluation concept utilized today. To recognize the significance of his innovative work, the Billy J. Griffith Engineering Analysis Award is presented to individuals whose analysis approach exemplifies his philosophy. AIAA membership is not a requirement for the recipient of this award.

The Young Professional Award recognizes one or more outstanding contributions made by a Young Professional Member, to the advancement of the aerospace profession. These contributions could be to the local community, such as STEM activities, local event organization, local section involvement or significant technical achievements. The contributions do not have to be directly related to AIAA. AIAA defines a Young Professional Member as an AIAA Professional Member who is age 35 or younger.

The Special Award category is presented to recognize outstanding achievements. This award can recognize outstanding project teams as well as individuals who provide significant administrative support and mentoring. AIAA membership is not required for this award.

The Booster Award is presented to an AIAA Tennessee Section member in recognition of outstanding service and support to the Tennessee Section.

Nominations should include the following 4 items:
1. Award Category
2. Name and contact information for the nominees
3. Your name and contact information
4. A description of the accomplishment, focusing on the award criteria. The description can be as brief or as detailed as you desire.

Nominations may be submitted to AIAA Tennessee Section Awards Committee, 1077 Schriever Ave., Arnold AFB, TN 37389-6400 or by email at AIAATennessee@gmail.com.

For additional information call 454-3457.