Image courtesy RAeS
 
The awards celebration, held last night at No.4 Hamilton Place, London, saw leaders in aviation, aerospace and space recognised for their significant contributions from space innovation to supporting humanitarian  aid and addressing social barriers through flight.
 
Several representatives of the aviation industry received Honorary Fellowships, with Group Captain Peter Hackett recognised for his work in advancing the RAF’s aircraft and their capabilities and Professor Balakumar Balachandran for pioneering a combination of methodologies, experimental studies and nonlinear analysis in advancing our understanding of the mechanics and dynamic of flexible structures used in both the aviation and space sectors. These Honorary Fellowships are the world’s highest distinction for aerospace achievements.
 
Ms Corinne Matthews was awarded an Honorary Companion for her crucial role in the development of the aerospace sector within the Southwest Local Enterprise Partnership between government and industry.

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The prestigious RAeS Gold Medal was awarded to Ms Sue Partridge for her significant contribution to the aerospace industry and her direct involvement in shaping the future of aviation as Head of the Wing Tomorrow Programme and Airbus Commercial Aircraft UK Country Manager.

Dr Josef Aschbacher, the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), received the Geoffrey Pardoe Space Award for his contributions to the European Space Programme and the entire Space sector.

Ms Sally Smith was awarded the WAAC (Women in Aviation, Aerospace and Space Committee) award for promoting and educating the involvement of women in all forms of professional aviation.  Mr Brenton Hayward was awarded the Roger Green Medal for his contributions to aviation psychology and safety which encouraged the development of the ATSB (Australian Transport Bureau).

Mr Thomas Turner was awarded the Herbet Le Seuer Award for his technical expertise in developing initial solutions to fix a fault with the P8A Poseidon cargo bay floor protection. Ms Isobel Taylor was awarded the Alan Marsh Award for a young person showing technical promise, where five hours of rotary or fixed-wing flying tuition will enhance their career. Mr Christopher Lawrence was awarded the Turnbuckle Award for his contribution to engineering in the aviation industry.
 
The Team Gold Award was awarded to the Journey to Ultrafan team for the design, development and demonstration of a fundamentally new gas turbine engine concept named Ultrafan, for the Rolls-Royce company.
 
The Team Silver Medal was awarded to the Air and Space Warfare Centre Protector Test Team. The Test Team leading the initial UK Test and Evaluation for the Protector Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) consisted of RAF personnel from 56 Sqn and the US Combined Test Team. The Bronze Team Medals were awarded to Team Hyperion for the development of a reconfigurable space processor which provides unmatched computational power, flexibility and efficiency and The Flying Start Challenge Team for contribution to the aerospace industry in delivering STEM activities and engaging with schools in the South West.
 
The Young Persons’ Achievement Award went to Miss Danielle Ashwell, an Engineering Officer (Aerosystems) in the RAF for demonstrating excellence as a member of the University of Birmingham Air Squadron.
 
Dave Edwards CEO of the Royal Aeronautical Society said: “The Royal Aeronautical Society is proud to recognise the exceptional achievements of the 2024 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.”

David Chinn FRAeS, President, Royal Aeronautical Society said: “We would like to pay tribute to the outstanding individuals and teams in this year’s Honours, Medals, and Awards. These recipients represent the pinnacle of achievement in the aerospace sector and their contributions not only advance our industry but also inspire the next generation of aerospace pioneers. We acknowledge their remarkable accomplishments and celebrate their impact 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.
 
•    Group Captain Peter Hackett – Head of Air Experimentation Unit RAF
•    Dr Balakumar Balachandran- Professor at the University of Maryland
 
Individual Medals are awarded for contributions to the advancement of aerospace art, science and engineering.

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Gold Medal
•    Ms Sue Patridge - Head of the Wing of Tomorrow programme and commercial aircraft UK Country Manager for Airbus

Team Medals are awarded for significant contributions to the advancement of aerospace art, science and engineering.
 
Gold Medal
•    Journey to Ultrafan - Rolls-Royce
Silver Medal
•    The Air and Space Warfare Centre Protector Test Team - RAF and USAF
Bronze Medal
•    Team Hyperion - Airbus
•    The Flight Start Challenge Team - Leonardo Helicopters UK

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.
 
Roger Green Human Factors Medal
•    Brenton   Hayward - Managing Director of Dedale Asia Pacific
WAAC Award
•    Sally Smith - Researcher and Author
Geoffrey Pardoe Space Award
•    Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA)
Turnbuckle Award
•    Christopher Lawrence – UK CAA General Aviation Unit
Honorary Companion
•    Corinne Matthews – Aerospace and Nuclear Sector Lead for Somerset Council

Young Persons’ Awards recognise individual achievement and promise.
 
Young Person’s Achievement Award
•    Danielle Ashwell - Student at the University of Brimingham Air Squadron
Alan Marsh Award
•    Isobel Taylor – Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Technician Boeing
Herbet Le Seuer Award
•    Thomas Turner - Avionic Mechanic RAF
 
This year’s awards list demonstrates the momentous advancements being made in the aerospace sector. We hope for continued support of the RAeS awards programme.
 
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