RAeS reveals 2025 award winners

Image courtesy RAeS
 
The awards celebration, held Wednesday night at No.4 Hamilton Place, London, saw leaders in aviation, aerospace and space recognised for their significant contributions from space innovation to supporting technical advancement in engineering, safety, aviation heritage and best practice across the sector.
 
Several representatives of the aviation industry received Honorary Fellowships, with Mr Michael Griffin recognised for his work as NASA Administrator, Professor Konstantinos Kontis FRAeS for outstanding research achievements at the University of Glasgow, notably establishing advanced facilities such as the Acre Road Wind Tunnel and Plume-Regolith Testing Facilities and Dr Josef Ashbacher Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), for his contributions to the European Space Programme and the Space sector.

These Honorary Fellowships are the world’s highest distinction for aerospace achievements. 

The prestigious RAeS Bronze Medals were awarded to Dr Ethan Waisberg for his development of his team’s head-mounted visual assessment system, scheduled for deployment on the International Space Station in 2026.

Flt Lt Robert Lewis MRAeS was awarded both a Bronze Medal and the Flight Simulation Specialist Group Award for displaying exceptional innovation in support of a UK International Defence Training initiative for Ukrainian ab-initio pilots.
 
The Silver Team Award was awarded to Dr Richard Brown FRAeS and Dr Michael Pryce for their contribution to helicopter and eVTOL safety.
 
In addition, a Silver Team Medal was awarded to 1312 Flight Squadron Royal Air Force. 1312 Flight demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and leadership during a search and rescue mission in the South Atlantic Ocean. In an extremely pressurised situation, the team led their crews which saved the lives of 14 sailors.
 
The Bronze Team Medal was awarded to the BBMF Lancaster Tail Replacement team for building a new set of Tail Planes for the BBMF Lancaster which is the biggest major modification in this aircraft’s history. In addition the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT), Loughborough University was awarded a Bronze Team Medal for the long-term partnership between Loughborough University and Rolls-Royce, delivering technical advances that have enabled fuel burn reduction across the company’s aeroengine fleet and to Leonardos and 2 Excel’s Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft recognising the innovative design, engineering and execution that led to the successful first flight of the ‘Excalibur’ Flight Test Aircraft, a key asset for the Tempest/GCAP programme.
 
Operation Spitfire was awarded the Education and Skills Committee Team Award for the restoration of Stoke-on-Trent’s Spitfire aircraft, development of a Spitfire cockpit simulator for public use and a redesigned a museum’s Spitfire Gallery.
 
Public Service Broadcasting was awarded the Young Persons Committee Team Award for its two concept albums, 2015’s The Race for Space and 2024’s The Last Flight contain themes of historical aerospace endeavours, achievements and events often highlighting the intertwined role of technology and humanity.
 
Gretchen Haskins was awarded the Roger Green Award for developing internationally recognised best practices in the area of human factors and safety.
 
Dr Richard Crowther FRAeS was awarded the Geoffrey Pardoe Award for his distinguished career in space including Head of the UK Delegation to the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Near Earth Objects and Chief Engineer of the UK Space Agency.
 
Captain James Lyons MRAeS was awarded the Alan Marsh Award for representing the Royal Aeronautical Society as a leading member of the committee that has developed the update to ICAO Annex 14 to regulate the design and development of Vertiports.
 
Dave Edwards CEO of the Royal Aeronautical Society said: “The Royal Aeronautical Society is proud to recognise the exceptional achievements of the 2025 Honours, Medals, and Awards recipients. Their dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence, has made significant contributions to advancing aerospace. Their work embodies the highest standards of our industry and inspires progress across the global aerospace community.”

Alisdair Wood FRAeS, President, Royal Aeronautical Society said: “We are proud to honour the exceptional individuals and teams recognised in this year’s Honours, Medals, and Awards. Their achievements represent the highest standards of excellence in aerospace, driving our sector forward and inspiring the next generation of aerospace pioneers. We celebrate their remarkable contributions and the lasting impact they continue to make on the global aerospace community.”

Honorary Fellowships mark the world’s highest distinction for aerospace achievement, awarded only for the most outstanding contributions to the aerospace profession.

• Michael Griffin
• Professor Konstantinos Kontis FRAeS
• Dr Josef Aschbacher

Individual Medals are awarded for contributions to the advancement of aerospace art, science and engineering.

Bronze Medal

• Dr Ethan Waisberg
• Flt Lt Robert Lewis MRAeS

Team Medals are awarded for significant contributions to the advancement of aerospace art, science and engineering.
 
Silver Medal

• Dr Richard Brown FRAeS and Dr Michael Pryce
• 1312 Flight Squadron Royal Air Force

Bronze Medal

• BBMF Lancaster Tail Replacement 
• National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT), Loughborough University
• Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft

Society Specialist Awards are conferred on individuals or teams in well-established professional disciplines. These awards recognise advances, innovation, excellence and long service that has made a significant impact.
 
Education and Skills Committee Team Award
Operation Spitfire

Young Persons Committee Team Award
Public Service Broadcasting

Roger Green Award
Gretchen Haskins

Geoffrey Pardoe Award
Dr Richard Crowther FRAeS

Alan Marsh Award
James (Jim) Lyons MRAeS

This year’s awards list demonstrates the momentous advancements being made in the aerospace sector. RAeS hopes for continued support of the RAeS awards programme. 
 
The Royal Aeronautical Society has been honouring outstanding achievers in the global aerospace industry since 1909, when Wilbur and Orville Wright came to London to receive the Society’s first Gold Medal. Over the years, honouring aerospace achievers in this way has become an annual tradition. The Society’s Awards Programme recognises and celebrates individuals and teams who have made an exceptional contribution to aerospace, whether it is for an outstanding achievement, a major technical innovation, exceptional leadership, or for work that will further advance aerospace. 

How to apply
The Society’s Honours, Medals and Awards are open to everyone in and supporting the global aerospace community – from senior professionals to students and graduates. Nominations for next year’s awards are now open and the form can be found at www.aerosociety.com/medalsandawards