Piper General Aviation Award Open for Nominations 10 November 2025 – 15 January 2026

Award Recipients

2024

• Noel J Duerksen
  Garmin International, Inc.

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA Piper General Aviation Award

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to general aviation safety and ease of use including the first certified envelope protection system and the first certified autonomous emergency landing system in general aviation.

2018

• Mr Norman Crabill
  ViGYAN

  Awarded

  Award: 2018 Piper General Aviation Award

  AIAA Citation: Mr. Crabill continues a lifetime of General Aviation technical contributions and advocacy including lightning protection, weather datalink, and current work on active ride improvement.

2016

• Tine Tomazic
  Pipistrel d.o.o. Ajdovscina

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For leadership in the research, design and development, and testing of the practical marketable electric general aviation aircraft concepts.
• Dr Gregor Veble Mikic
  Joby Aero

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For leadership in the research, design and development, and testing of the practical marketable electric general aviation aircraft concepts.

2014

• Dr Mark D Maughmer
  The Pennsylvania State University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions to winglet designs on race sailplanes, an advance that promoted the broader acceptance and diffusion of winglet technology in the general aviation community.

2010

• Cessna Skycatcher Design Team
  Cessna Skycatcher Design Team

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: “For the development of the Cessna Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft compliant with ASTM standards.”

2006

• Leo A Burkardt
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant contributions to the future of general aviation.

2005

• Dr Neal J Pfeiffer
  Pfeiffer Consulting

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: Through his creative development and application of computational methods for aerodynamic design and the estimation of aircraft loads and mission performance, Dr. Pfeiffer has greatly contributed to the success of new business-jet aircraft.

2004

• Mr. Vern L Raburn
  Eclipse Aviation Corp

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: Through his vision and leadership, Mr. Raburn has revolutionalized personal air transportation, crating the opportunity for low-cost, on-demand point-to-point travel

2002

• Karl H Bergey
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For lifelong achievement in innovative design of light aircraft, and for dedication to design education

2001

• William F Chana
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For extensive activity in the development of general aviation aircraft, and for the founding of the AIAA General Aviation Systems Technical Committee

1999

• James Coyne
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For distinguished service as a Congressional proponent for general aviation and as a continued advocate in developing a small aircraft transportation system infrastructure for the millennium

1997

• Dr Sam B Williams
  Williams International

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For years of leadership in the development of small turbofan engines to bring affordable jet flying to a general aviation Small Aircraft Transportation System

1996

• Prof Hubert C Smith
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For dedication to the future of general aviation through sustained excellence as an author and educator

1995

• Daniel S Goldin
  Intellisis

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For vision, support and leadership of the revitalization of the United States general aviation transportation system

1994

• Charles R Trimble
  Trimble Navigation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For pioneering the manufacture and application of an affordable Global Positioning System, the most significant technology for navigation and landing since the advent of radar, thereby revolutionizing the operation and utilization of general aviation

1993

• Mr. Richard V Abbott
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For achieving an aircraft structural design milestone with the FAA certification of the Beech Starship--the first all composite general aviation airplane to be placed in production
• Mr. Edwin H Hooper Sr.
  Aviation Consulting Enterprises Company

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For achieving an aircraft structural design milestone with the FAA certification of the Beech Starship--the first all composite general aviation airplane to be placed in production

1992

• Edward J King
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in the development of avionics for general aviation.

1991

• Dr Bruce J Holmes
  SmartSky Networks, LLC

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions in aerodynamic design technology for general aviation aircraft. Many current general aviation airplane designs are beneficiaries of his exceptional accomplishments

1990

• Harry Zeisloft
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the advancement of general aviation by obtaining supplemental type certificates for allowing the use of auto gas in general aviation aircraft

1989

• Fred E Weick
  Awarded

1988

• Mr Joseph L Johnson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For innovative contributions to the aerodynamics of advanced configurations and stall/spin safety general aviation aircraft

1987

• Donald G Bigler
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For sustaining a commitment to technical innovation and introduction of new products which stimulate general aviation growth, such as the introduction of liquid cooled piston engine power plants as demonstrated on a non-stop circumglobal flight

1986

• Dr Jan Roskam
  DARcorporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the design of general aviation airplanes as an author, educator, consultant and researcher

1985

• David R Ellis
  Cessna Aircraft

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For technical leadership in applying advanced technology and flying quality engineering into the new Cessna crusader and caravan aircraft and technical innovations in the cevelopment of flow energizers, wingtip designs, and laminar flow wing design.

1984

• Mr. Joseph W Stickle
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding technical leadership in guiding NASA''s general aviation research efforts resulting in significant improvements in aircraft efficiency, safety and productivity

1983

• Prof Gerald Gregorek
  Ohio University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the advancement of wind tuner, flight test in analytical methodologies applied to general aviation aircraft and their operations

1982

• Mr. Stanley J Green
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For his substantial technical contribution to the modernization and improved applicability of air worthiness and noise regulations governing civil aircraft design and operation

1981

• Dr William H Wentz Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For his research wing an airfoil design that has attracted international attention. His experimental data and high lift devices have become standards for the new families of low general aviation

1980

• Mr. Donald J Grommesh
  Learjet Incorporated

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For significant contribution to safety, fuel economy and operational flexibility of business jet air craft by pioneering routing flight operations for business jet aircraft at altitude above 45,000 feet

1979

• Roger Winblade
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For organization and leadership of a comprehensive and highly productive NASA General Aviation Technology Program responsive to the needs of industry and the aviation community