SEVEN AVIATION AND AEROSPACE PROJECTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE 2012 ROBERT J. COLLIER TROPHY Contact: Cassandra Bosco 202-415-2798 Washington, DC, February 4, 2013 -- The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) today announced that seven aviation and aerospace projects will compete for the prestigious 2012 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The Collier Trophy, the “Greatest Award in Aviation,” has been the benchmark of aviation and aerospace achievement for over 100 years. Awarded annually “….for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America,” it has been bestowed upon some of the most important projects, programs, individuals, and accomplishments in our nation’s history. Past winners include the crews of Apollo 11 and Apollo 8, the Mercury 7, Scott Crossfield, Elmer Sperry and Howard Hughes. Projects and programs which have been the recipient of the Collier include the B-52, the Polaris Missile, the Surveyor Moon Landing Program, the Boeing 747, the Cessna Citation, the Gulfstream V, the F-22, and the International Space Station. The 2011 Collier was awarded to the Boeing Company for the 787 Dreamliner. The nominees are: The Lockheed Martin Cargo Unmanned Aerial System The NASA/JPL Dawn Project Team The Gulfstream G650 The United States Air Force MC-12 Project Liberty Team The NASA/JPL Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Project Team Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos Team The NASA/JPL Voyager Interstellar Mission Project Team Led by NAA Chairman Walter J. Boyne, the Selection Committee will consist of leaders representing organizations throughout aviation and aerospace. Included on the Committee are three former recipients of the Collier Trophy: Bryan Allen (Gossamer Albatross - 1979) John Tracy (Boeing 787 – 2011) Admiral Richard Truly, USN, Ret. (1988) The entire Selection Committee consists of: Richard Aboulafia, Teal Group Bryan Allen, Former Collier Recipient (Gossamer Albatross - 1979) Chris Benich, Honeywell Laurie Bertenthal, Rockwell Collins The Honorable Marion Blakey, Aerospace Industries Association Bob Blouin, Hawker Beechcraft Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association Bob Brown, Academy of Model Aeronautics Steve Callaghan, NAA Awards and Events Committee Sandra Clifford, Aero Club of Northern California David Coleal, Spirit AeroSystems John Cotton, DRS Technologies Jack Dailey, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club Bill Garvey, Business and Commercial Aviation Rich Hass, United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Tom Hendricks, National Air Transportation Association TC Jones, Northrop Grumman Corporation Tim Keating, The Boeing Company Leo Knaapen, Bombardier Aerospace Dick Koenig, Flying Magazine John Langford, Aurora Flight Sciences Joe Lombardo, General Dynamics Aerospace Group Sandy Magnus, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Dave Manke, United Technologies/Pratt & Whitney Mary Miller, Signature Flight Support Stan O'Connor, GE Aviation Henry Ogrodzinski, National Association of State Aviation Officials Ken Panos, Aerojet Steve Plummer, Rolls-Royce North America Skip Ringo, The Ringo Group Bob Rubino, Lockheed Martin Corporation Bob Stangarone, Embraer John Tracy, Former Collier Recipient (Boeing 787 – 2011) Admiral Richard Truly, USN, Ret., Former Collier Recipient (1988) Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of NAA, will serve as the Director of the process and is a non-voting member of the Committee. The Selection Committee will meet on Monday, March 11, in Arlington, Virginia, and the winner will be announced the next day, March 12, at the NAA Spring Awards Luncheon to be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. The formal presentation of the Collier Trophy will take place on May 9, 2013, at the Collier Dinner in Arlington, Virginia. More information can be found at www.naa.aero. The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit, membership organization devoted to fostering America's aerospace leadership and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. # # # .