Dr. John C. Ruth Digital Avionics Award Open for Nominations 10 November 2024 – 15 January 2025

Award Recipients

2020

• Ms Denise S Ponchak
  NASA Glenn Research Center

  Awarded

  Award: 2020 Dr. John C. Ruth Digital Avionics Award

  AIAA Citation: For lifetime accomplishments and outstanding leadership to the fields of Aeronautics and Space Communications Avionics for NASA and the Nation.

2017

• John Moore
  Rockwell Collins, Inc.

  Awarded

  Award: For pioneering work to develop enabling technologies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and the standards to adopt them into the National Air Space.

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering work to develop enabling technologies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and the standards to adopt them into the National Air Space.

2015

• Mr. Rafael D Apaza
  NASA Glenn Research Center

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the conception, formulations and development of the Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communication System (AeroMACS), the world’s first standardized wireless communication system for airport critical operations use.

2013

• Dr Albert D Helfrick
  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant contributions to the avionics field through outstanding educational endeavors, publications, research and development as well as services.

2011

• Prof Frank Van Graas
  Ohio University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding lifetime achievement in the area of GPS navigation.

2009

• Mr. Christopher Moody
  MITRE Corporation

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For the invention, prototyping, initial implementation, standardization, and gaining user acceptance of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) and the UAT Beacon Radio (UBR)
• Doyle T Peed
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For the invention, prototyping, initial implementation, standardization, and gaining user acceptance of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) and the UAT Beacon Radio (UBR)
• Robert C Strain
  The MITRE Corporation

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For the invention, prototyping, initial implementation, standardization, and gaining user acceptance of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) and the UAT Beacon Radio (UBR)
• Warren J Wilson
  The MITRE Corporation

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For the invention, prototyping, initial implementation, standardization, and gaining user acceptance of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) and the UAT Beacon Radio.

2007

• Dr Andrew D Zeitlin
  The MITRE Corporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For your seminal role in the definition and deployment of the extremely critical algorithms that are the cornerstone of the internationally deployed Aircraft Collision Avoidance System (ACAS).

2005

• Dr David E Corman
  The Boeing Company Phantom Works

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For excellence in technical knowledge and accomplishments, leadership, professional involvement, and innovation in digital avionics system development and technologies.

2003

• Mr. Reginald D Varga
  Boeing

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding achievements in technical management and the implementation of digital avionics in space or aeronautical systems.

2001

• James E Dieudonne
  Awarded

1999

• Dr John C Ruth
  The Boeing Company

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership and technical contributions to the development of widely used avionics standards and advanced architectures, and innovations in implementing new development processes to align with DOD’s performance based acquisition policy.

1997

• Tom Smith
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of the outstanding leadership and contributions in the management and technical aspects of digital systems and software for airborne weapon systems.

1995

• Mr. Henry J Dhuyvetter
  McDonnell Douglas Corporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of engineering contributions and leadership in the advancement and integration of avionics system technologies in launch systems, establishing new standards of operational efficiency.

1994

• Mr. Cary R Spitzer
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of digital avionics throughout a career as a NASA engineer, an industry visionary and educator, and technical advocate

1992

• Dr John M Borky
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding achievement in formation and leadership of the Joint Integrated Avionics Working Group which has been instrumental in establishing digital avionics standards for next generation aircraft

1986

• Dr Kenneth J Cox
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his commendable technical and management initiatives to advance the application of Digital Avionics into the manned space program.

1984

• Robert E. McDonald
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For leading the combined Project Engineering and Staff Task Force that directed the specification, design, development, test and certification of the 757/767 digital avionics subsystems
• Mr. Richard A Peal
  Boeing Co

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For leading the combined Project Engineering and Staff Task Force that directed the specification, design, development, test and certification of the 757/767 digital avionics subsystems
• Richard E Spardin
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For leading the combined Project Engineering and Staff Task Force that directed the specification, design, development, test and certification of the 757/767 digital avionics subsystems
• Mr. Peter L Sutcliffe
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For leading the combined Project Engineering and Staff Task Force that directed the specification, design, development, test and certification of the 757/767 digital avionics subsystems