Vertical Flight Society Honors 11 Leaders for Contributions to Aerospace

Annual awards recognize outstanding achievements in vertical flight technology and innovation

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, 3D macro illustration of a futuristic VTOL aircraft in flight, with its intricate mechanical components and aerodynamic structures illuminated by vibrant neon lights, conceptually representing the technological advancements driving the vertical flight industry.Glowing, high-tech VTOL aircraft showcases the innovative engineering powering the future of vertical flight.Fairfax Today

The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) has announced the 2026 individual recipients of its prestigious awards program, honoring 11 leaders for their invaluable contributions to the advancement of vertical flight technology. The awards, which include the Dr. Alexander Klemin Award, Honorary Fellow, Technical Fellow, and other accolades, will be presented at the 82nd Annual Forum and Technology Display in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 6, 2026.

Why it matters

The VFS awards program has served as a catalyst for stimulating technological advances in vertical flight since its establishment in 1944. This year's honorees have made lasting contributions that continue to shape the past, present, and future of the industry, recognizing the vital role of innovation and leadership in driving progress in areas like rotorcraft design, aeromechanics, and VTOL aircraft development.

The details

The 2026 award recipients include Nicholas Lappos from Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, who received the Dr. Alexander Klemin Award, the Society's highest honor. Five individuals were named Honorary Fellows and Technical Fellows for their pioneering work and enduring leadership. Other awards recognized achievements in historical preservation, next-generation engineering, and organizational culture.

  • The 82nd Annual Forum and Technology Display where the awards will be presented is scheduled for May 6, 2026.
  • The VFS awards program has been recognizing outstanding vertical flight leaders since its establishment in 1944.

The players

Vertical Flight Society (VFS)

The global non-profit society for engineers, scientists, and others working on vertical flight technology. The VFS has led advancements in technology, safety, advocacy, and other key initiatives for more than 80 years.

Nicholas Lappos

From Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, he is the recipient of the Dr. Alexander Klemin Award, the Society's highest honor, for his more than 50 years of transformative contributions to the vertical flight community as a test pilot, engineer, and industry leader.

Ajay Sehgal

Senior Technical Fellow at KBR, he is recognized as an Honorary Fellow for over 50 years of advancing vertical flight across industry, government, and academia, along with his enduring leadership and dedication to the Vertical Flight Society.

Marilyn J. Smith

Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, she is recognized as an Honorary Fellow for her pioneering contributions to computational rotorcraft aeromechanics and her global leadership in advancing vertical flight.

Ben Oster

Senior Manager for Cargo/Utility/Tiltrotor System Safety at Boeing, he is the recipient of the John J. Schneider Historical Achievement Award for preserving and promoting vertical flight history through the creation of the Ascending Innovation exhibit.

Katherine Gruber

Aeronautical Engineer Senior at Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, she is the recipient of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Award for her technical leadership on the NASA Dragonfly mission and advancing rotorcraft aerodynamic design.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Since Igor Sikorsky and Gen. H. Franklin Gregory were first honored in 1944, the Vertical Flight Society has recognized leading contributors to the advancement of vertical flight. This year's honorees have made lasting contributions that continue to shape the past, present, and future of vertical flight.”

— Angelo Collins, VFS Executive Director

What’s next

The 2026 award recipients will be honored at the Grand Awards Dinner on May 6, 2026, as part of the 82nd Annual Forum and Technology Display in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The takeaway

The Vertical Flight Society's prestigious awards program continues to recognize the vital role of innovation, leadership, and technical excellence in driving progress in the vertical flight industry. This year's honorees have made significant contributions that will shape the future of rotorcraft, VTOL aircraft, and other vertical flight technologies.