Awards
Aircraft Design Award
Recognizing individuals and teams whose original concepts or career contributions have significantly advanced aircraft design.
About the Award
The AIAA Aircraft Design Award was established in 1968 and recognizes individuals or teams for original concepts or career contributions that significantly advance aircraft design or design technology. The award is presented annually at the AIAA AVIATION Forum.
Nominate a Candidate
Nominations are accepted from AIAA members. Submit via the AIAA awards portal.
Nominations Open
July 10, 2026
Nomination Deadline
October 1, 2026
Endorsement Deadline
November 1, 2026
2025 Award Recipients
Award photo
/public/images/award-recipient-2025.jpg 2025 Recipients
Ahmet K. Kiryaman
Isabelle Bloy
Thierry M. Diez
Award Citation
"For contributions to the Airbus A321XLR, a narrowbody aircraft opening long-haul services to airlines, successfully launched in 2019 with an entry into service in 2024."
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Ahmet K. Kiryaman
Aircraft Design Engineer — Airbus
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Isabelle Bloy
Aircraft Design Engineer — Airbus SAS
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Thierry M. Diez
Aircraft Design Engineer — Airbus Operations SAS – Jets
Past Recipients (1969–2024)
| Year | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Paul Fontenrose Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems |
| 2023 | Adnan Raghdo Boeing |
| 2022 | Steve Ericson Overair |
| 2021 | Pipistrel Velis Electro Design Team Pipistrel |
| 2020 | Udo Juerss |
| 2019 | Robert W. Parks Pacific Flying Machines |
| 2018 | Robert Lafontan Airbus |
| 2017 | Solar Impulse Aircraft Design Team Solar Impulse |
| 2016 | Navy X-47B UCAS-D Team Navy X-47B Program |
| 2015 | Darold B. Cummings ForzAero |
| 2014 | Boeing 787 Dreamliner Team Boeing |
| 2013 | Dr. Egbert Torenbeek TU Delft |
| 2012 | Dr. Michimasa Fujino Honda Aircraft Company |
| 2011 | Dr. Leland M. Nicolai |
| 2010 | Dr. Daniel P. Raymer Aircraft Design Research LLC |
| 2009 | Joseph John Lusczek Jr. |
| 2008 | Richard VanGrunsven Van's Aircraft Inc. |
| 2007 | Dr. Jan Roskam DARcorporation |
| 2006 | Robert R. Sandusky |
| 2005 | Dr. Robert H. Liebeck |
| 2004 | David H. Graham; Charles H. Boccadoro; Joseph W. Pawlowski Northrop Grumman Corporation |
| 2002 | Dr. Paul M. Bevilaqua; Rick Rezabek; Brian M. Quayle; Paul H. Park Lockheed Martin |
| 2001 | Team Raptor |
| 1999 | Hermann M. Altmann Helm Industries LLC |
| 1998 | John C. Brizendine |
| 1996 | Brian L. Hunt; James B. Godwin III; John V. Chenevey; William A. Norman Boeing / McDonnell Douglas |
| 1995 | Charles N. Coppi Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation |
| 1994 | Michael R. Robinson; John B. Nix; Helmuth Heumann; Hannes G. Ross Boeing / Northrop Grumman |
| 1993 | Benson Hamlin |
| 1992 | David R. Kent; Richard Hardy; Sherman N. Mullin Boeing |
| 1991 | Dr. Antonio L. Elias |
| 1990 | Alan C. Brown; Coy R. Cantrell; Norman Nelson |
| 1989 | John F. Cashen; John Patierno; Irving T. Waaland; James E. Kinnu |
| 1988 | Michael Pelehach |
| 1987 | Lawrence A. Smith McDonnell Douglas Corporation |
| 1986 | Norris Krone Jr.; Glenn L. Spacht; James N. Allburn University Research Foundation |
| 1985 | Harry J. Hillaker Aerospace Consulting Group, Inc. |
| 1984 | Everette L. Webb; Kenneth F. Holtby; Philip M. Condit Boeing |
| 1982 | Dr. Paul B. MacCready AeroVironment Inc. |
| 1981 | Ralph H. Shick; Frank W. Davis; Adolph Burstein |
| 1980 | Elbert L. Rutan Scaled Composites LLC |
| 1979 | Harold Raiklen |
| 1978 | John K. Wimpress |
| 1977 | Howard A. Evans |
| 1976 | Kendall Perkins |
| 1975 | Walter E. Fellers |
| 1973 | Herman D. Barkey |
| 1972 | Ben R. Rich |
| 1971 | Joseph F. Sutter |
| 1970 | Harrison A. Storms |
| 1969 | Harold W. Adams |