de Florez Award for Flight Simulation Open for Nominations 10 February 2025 – 1 June 2025

Award Recipients

2024

• Loren J Newton
  Stanford University

  Awarded

  Award: 2024
• Dr Marinus M van Paassen
  Delft University of Technology - Aerospace Engineering

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA de Florez Award for Flight Simulation

  AIAA Citation: For key contributions to the fields of human-in-the-loop vehicle simulation, real-time and distributed simulation software, and aerospace human factors.

2022

• Dr Sunjoo K Advani
  International Development of Technology B.V.

  Awarded

  Award: 2022 AIAA de Florez Award for Flight Simulation

  AIAA Citation: "For his exceptional impacts on simulation science, particularly in the worldwide implementation of objective measures of the quality of flight simulation motion systems."

2020

• Edward L Burnett
  Retired

  Awarded

  Award: For his outstanding contributions to the nation’s most advanced military aircraft through the art of modeling and simulation to enhance controllability and performance.

  AIAA Citation: Presented at SciTech 2020

2019

• Prof Ronald A Hess
  Awarded

  Award: 2019 deFlorez Award for Flight Simulation

  AIAA Citation: For contributions in the field of simulation fidelity for the improvement of air vehicle simulation and trainers, aircraft man machine interface, and flight controls.

2018

• Dr Laurence R Young
  Awarded

  Award: Distinguished researcher and outstanding educator, responsible for fundamental contributions in applying quantitative models of human perception and control to flight simulation technology.

  AIAA Citation: Distinguished researcher and outstanding educator, responsible for fundamental contributions in applying quantitative models of human perception and control to flight simulation technology.

2017

• Dr Joseph F Horn
  The Pennsylvania State University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering contributions to rotorcraft flight simulation and education, including piloted ship-board landing and real-time simulation of coupled flight dynamics, ship-air wake modeling, and acoustics.

2016

• Dr John M Hanson
  NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding innovations and contributions in flight simulation applications for launch vehicle design, development, and requirements verification.

2015

• Dr Cleve Moler
  MathWorks

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant impact to the science of flight simulation through development of computational algorithms underlying an environment now used widely to create multi-domain models and operational software.

2013

• Mr William W Chung
  American System Corp

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For technical leadership in advancing flight simulation technologies through development of flight and air traffic simulation facilities and improvement of motion cueing algorithms over thirty years of government and industry service.

2012

• Mark E Dreier
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of 34 years of outstanding, innovative contributions to simulation of rotary wing aircraft, understanding of vortex ring state, fuzzy logic control, teaching, and publications.

2010

• Rodger A Mueller
  NASA-Ames

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For technical leadership in advancing the state-of-the-art of pilot cockpit control force-loader technology for flight simulation and enabling high-quality research and development flight simulations.

2008

• Lloyd M Landry
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 44 years of technical leadership in the areas of modeling simulation and laboratires, and development of industry-government collaborative modeling and simulation activities.

2007

• Mr David G Miller
  Boeing Defense, Space & Security

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievements and innovative approaches in modeling and simulation of complex rotorcraft aeromechanical systems which led to important and broadly applied advancements in rotorcraft flying qualities and flight control technologies.

2003

• Dr Ruud J Hosman
  AMS

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding contributions to the development and validation of mathematical models of pilot perception and control of aircraft motions, and application to flight simulator motion cueing algorithm design.

2001

• Mr. Richard E McFarland
  NASA-Ames

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of innovative technical accomplishments and leadership in real-time simulation modeling and algorithm development, especially in the areas of standardized kinematic models, time delay compensations, and rotorcraft modeling

1998

• Dr Patricia A Sanders
  Retired f/Missile Defense Agency

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of inspiration and relentless advocacy in implementing the disciplined use of modeling and simulation in the DOD weapons systems acquisition process

1997

• Dr Edward A Martin
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding contributions to advancement of flight simulation technology through research involving pilot perceptual cueing, leadership in establishing flight simulator design standards, and dedication to education and training of the simulation community

1996

• Col (AF) Jack A Thorpe
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of the vision and continued leadership that advanced networked simulation concepts and technology supporting system evaluation, test, and training in a globally-capable, virtual battlefield environment.

1995

• A L Ueltschi
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For forty-four years of major contributions to improving flight safety by establishing simulator-based training programs throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe

1994

• Robert T Galloway
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievements in improving the fidelity of flight simulators through the development of practical yet effective standards and validation processes, and in educating simulation developers

1993

• Mr. Edward M Boothe
  Flight Simulation & Training

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of continued leadership in the establishment and universal acceptance of international standards for the evaluation and qualification of aircraft training simulators

1992

• Dr Lloyd D Reid
  Retired

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of sustained contributions to flight simulation, particularly research into operator modeling, motion drive algorithms, display ergonomics and effects of motion/visual cue delays

1991

• Prof Frank M Cardullo
  State University of NY

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of significant and sustained contributions as engineer, consultant, teacher, and group leader to numerous areas of flight simulation, but particularly to modeling of vehicular dynamics, motion cueing and cue synchronization issue.s

1990

• Jacob A Houck
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of sustained outstanding contributions to the field of Flight Simulation as the designer and implementor of important NASA rotorcraft, air traffic control, and air transportation simulator facilities used for research and training at NASA Langley Research Center

1989

• Mr. Don R Gum
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of significant and lasting accomplishments in both training and engineering simulation, in initiating and leading numerous simulation technology developments, in developing and modernizing various laboratory simulation facilities, and in the advancement of simulation technology application

1988

• Mr. Bertram W McFadden
  McFadden Services

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his successful application of servosystem technology to the field of flight simulation. His unique approaches to the development of high-fidelity control force engineering and flight training

1987

• Dr Edward A Stark
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of significant and lasting contribution to the aerospace training field. His work has influenced the thinking and helped to shape the decisions of simulator training program planners throughout Government and Industry

1986

• Mr. Waldemar O Breuhaus
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of the development and promotion of the total-in-flight simulation concept and its culmination in the USAF/FIFS airplane, which simulates with high fidelity, the total environment of another airplane

1985

• Mr. John B Sinacori
  Applied Science Inc

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of numerous contributions in the field of flight simulation. His novel approaches have advanced the techniques of vehicle dynamics, and motion and visual simulation. His work benefited engineering development and flight training

1984

• Mr. Walter S Chambers
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional engineering and leadership in establishing and managing the Navy''s Visual Technology Research Simulator, dedicated to demonstrating high technology simulator concepts and their cost effectiveness for training.

1983

• Dr Robert M Howe
  Awarded

  Award: -

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the development of modeling techniques and computer hardware used in flight simulation

1982

• Mr. Richard J Heintzman
  Simtec Inc

  Awarded

  Award: -

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding leadership in the development and management of simulator concepts and implementation techniques which successfully resulted in the first total environment tactical air-to-air combat simulators

1980

• Carl B Shelley
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For his creative contribution sand outstanding leadership in the design and development of the training concepts for the Space Shuttle Program flight crew and flight controller personnel

1978

• William Hagin
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For continued contributions to military and civil aviation training through the promotion of simulation as an effective training process, development of innovative training concepts, and research into pilot performance and proficiency measurements

1976

• Dr John E Duberg
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For unusual perception, implementation and leadership of innovative and mutually beneficial educational and research programs, between universities and government research laboratories, for future aerospace scientists and engineers

1975

• Mr. John C Dusterberry
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievement in the development of large amplitude motion systems

1974

• Prof Hugh H Hurt
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For more than two decades of continuing major contributions in improving flight safety and efficiency by developing tests, training programs, and courses of study that effectively transmit sound aeronautical engineering concepts to flight personnel for practical use in both the military and civil sectors

1973

• Carroll "Pete" H Woodling
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to advancing the development of simulators to train flight crew members for diverse manned space flight missions and for conducting continuing training programs for these flight crews

1971

• CAPT Walter P Moran
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering efforts in the utilization of flight stimulation to increase safety and economy of airline flight training and checkout operations. This has been accomplished through the development of cooperative programs with the FAA resulting in drastic reduction of flight time for training and rating of flight crews

1970

• Mr. Harold G Miller
  NASA Headquarters

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributing significantly to the United States Space Flight Programs through development of flight controller training techniques and capabilities

1969

• Mr. Gifford Bull
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For establishing the use of variable stability airplanes as flight dynamics training vehicles for engineering test pilots

1967

• Edwin H Link
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For imagination and ingenuity in conceiving and implementing the idea of ground-based flight training equipment

1966

• Mr. Warren J North
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to astronaut training and operational crew procedures development in support of the manned space flight programs that have clearly demonstrated man''s ability to function and operate in the space environment

1965

• Lloyd L Kelly
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For devoted endeavors to translate pilot's requirements into simulator hardware, resulting in the achievement of a degree of fidelity permitting simulator training of pilots and astronauts